Former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has explained why he and some other Peoples Democratic Party stakeholders in the state decided not to support Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid.

Adeleke is seeking a second term in office under the Accord Party ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Oyinlola, alongside former Secretary to the Osun State Government, Fatai Akinbade, and former PDP South-West National Vice Chairman, Tajudeen Oladipo, on Sunday declared their support for the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO.

The declaration was made at the WOCDIF Event Centre in Osogbo, where Oyinlola spoke on behalf of the group and their supporters.

He said their decision to support Oyebamiji was based on the need for a new direction that would benefit the people of Osun State.

Oyinlola said he and other stakeholders played important roles in helping Adeleke emerge as governor in 2022. However, he said the administration had failed to carry major political stakeholders along.

He said the lack of inclusiveness in the government had damaged their relationship with the governor and led to their decision to support another candidate.

Oyinlola said, “We were among the major stakeholders who worked tirelessly towards the emergence of the present administration under the platform of the PDP.

“Politics is temporary, but Osun State is permanent. Political parties may change, political alliances may change, administrations may come and go, but the people of Osun will remain.

“Our responsibility as leaders is therefore to make decisions that will protect the future of our people.”

The former governor said they initially supported Adeleke because they believed his administration represented the aspirations of the people of Osun.

According to him, they mobilised their supporters, invested their time and political resources and worked for the success of the project.

However, he said things later changed.

“One of the major issues that have created this unfortunate situation, in our considered view, is the lack of inclusiveness in the governance of our state,” he said.

Oyinlola stressed that no government or political party could achieve lasting success without carrying its people and leaders along.

He also clarified that his decision to support the APC candidate did not mean that he had left the PDP.

“Our membership of the PDP is not in question. We are proud members of the party, and we acknowledge the sacrifices, contributions and struggles that have brought the PDP to where it is today,” he said.

He explained that party membership should not prevent political leaders from acting in what they believe is the best interest of the people.

“Being members of a political party does not mean that we should abandon our conscience or the larger interest of the people we have served.

“Party loyalty is important, but the interest of Osun State must always come first,” Oyinlola said.

He added that their decision to support Oyebamiji was based on their belief that Osun needed a different direction at this time.

“It is on this basis that we have resolved to officially declare our support for Mr Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress,” he said.

Oyinlola described their support for Oyebamiji as a decision driven by necessity, conviction and a desire to see Osun State progress.

He said although their political identity remained with the PDP, they had chosen to support a candidate they believed could provide more inclusive leadership for the people of the state.