The trio of Engineer Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Teslim Folarin of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chief Adebayo Adelabu of Accord Party are currently engaging in last minute struggle to govern Oyo state.
Based on their popularity, acceptability and campaigns, three of the gubernatorial candidates stand out among the rest. They are Makinde, Folarin and Adelabu.
This is contrary to what happened in 2019 when the battle was a two horse race between Adebayo Adelabu who was the candidate of the APC and Seyi Makinde who was the candidate of the PDP.
Adelabu
Adelabu is basing his campaign on his performance during the 2019 gubernatorial election, an indication that made him conclude that he is still a candidate to beat on Saturday.
Adelabu believes that he has invested in the state in the areas of real estate, agriculture and hospitality. He has the conviction that all these would work in his favour.
Adelabu is of the opinion that he ran the best campaign and has the best profile to govern the state from May this year.
Folarin
Folarin is currently representing Oyo Central senatorial district. He has been going around the state canvassing votes from the residents, citing that Oyo state should not be in opposition with the APC controlled federal government.
His party won the three senatorial seats and eight (8) House of Representatives seats, an indication that the APC is a party to beat in the elections.
Folarin is expecting the people of the state to vote for him so as to be in the same political party with the ruling party at the federal level.
Makinde
Makinde, the incumbent, has been going around the state, promising that he would consolidate on his previous achievements in the areas of education, health, agriculture, among others.
He is said to be running a ‘populist’ government and has been endorsed by the gubernatorial candidate of SDP, Michael Lana and candidates of Accord, Labour Party and NNPP who lost during the last National Assembly elections.
A section of the Labour Party led by its state Chairman, Sodiq Atayese has also endorsed Makinde.
He was rumoured to have had an alliance with the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, but his party members have rubbished such claims.
Makinde will rely on his previous achievements, support of his party members, among others to retain his seat.
, Senator Teslim Folarin of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and...){kind=link}