Former member of the House of Representatives and governorship aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state, Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin, has dismissed reports claiming he has stepped down from the governorship race.
Akinfolarin, who ruled out the possibility of stepping down for any aspirant ahead of the gubernatorial primary of the APC, maintained that he has not stepped down and is not planning to step down for any aspirant of the party, contrary to reports.
Akinfolarin made the clarification in a statement signed by the Spokesperson of Mayowa Akinfolarin Campaign Organization, Oluwagbenga Ajongbolo, saying he remains a candidate to beat and will not abandon his governorship aspirations.
Ajongbolo stated that, “Our attention has been drawn to the numerous lies fabricated against our principal, Rt. Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin, the leading aspirant in the forthcoming Ondo gubernatorial elections.
“The falsehood and misinformation, circulated by unscrupulous elements commissioned by the governor’s camp, is intended to deceive and mislead our teeming followers who are ready to vote for Akinfolarin come April 20, 2024, across the state.
“These unprincipled beings, who have thrown caution to the wind in their usual transactional and mercenary job, especially every four years, have spread the rumour that Rt. Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin has stepped down for another aspirant.
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“This is totally untrue. Akinfolarin has not, and will not, step down for anybody in this contest.”
According to the statement, “Just three weeks ago, Akinfolarin toured the eighteen local government areas of the state, meeting party executives, members and prominent stakeholders, preaching renewed hope and promising to return the party to its members.
“Is this the reason a political camp is jittery of his increasing popularity amongst party members, thereby contracting these mendicants for this hatchet job? “
“Mayowa Akinfolarin is the most experienced and qualified among the aspirants in the APC today.
“A two-term member of the Federal House of Representatives, two-term Deputy Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, head of different government establishments, including the National Library and Upper Niger River Basin Authority Minna, Akinfolarin has distinguished himself in the offices he has occupied.
“Why would one with these towering experiences withdraw from becoming the next governor of the state, a position he will use to turn around our fates as a people?
“Akinfolarin doesn’t have any certificate issues. He has not been involved in any financial misappropriation. He has never been accused of mishandling people’s palliatives and what rightly belongs to them.
“The Odigbo-born ex-lawmaker is ready for the next phase of his aspiration, as he will be available for the screening slated for this week,” he said.
