Former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, on Monday made a
profound statement of his intent to be governor of Oyo State come 2015.
The former minister picked an expression of interest form of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State to contest the 2015 governorship election in the state, thereby swelling the number of aspirants who have picked form for the post in the state to eight.
Others who had earlier picked the form include former governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala; former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin; and former Chief Press Secretary to former Governor Lam Adesina, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan.
Reports indicatge that a business mogul, Mr. Seyi Makinde, former Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Gbola Adetunji; a businessman, Mr. Femi Babalola and former chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Soji Adejumo,also have their eyes on the governorship seat.
Adedoja told journalists shortly after picking the form that the agitation for an Ibadan native to emerge as the governorship candidate for PDP in the 2015 general elections was right and would be a winning strategy for the party.
Adedoja, while agreeing that that other aspirants in other parts of the state have constitutional rights to bid for the position, however expressed the fear that PDP might lose the election if the party failed to pick its candidate from Ibadan.
According to Adedoja, “Every state in Nigeria has peculiarities. We have said that in consonance with the peculiarities of Oyo State and going by the political calculations of other, it is only wise for PDP as a party, to also have its own strategy. So, it is a strategy for PDP to capture Oyo State.
“If you look at my pedigree, I have served people of all the zones of the state. I am a party man, I am a full Nigerian and full indigene of the state that has grassroots support in all parts of the state.”
Adedoja stated that he had gone round all the geo-political zones of the state to let people know that he had been on ground in the last 18 years in the state, adding that he had a better understanding of the complexities of the state.
“As an educationist, I believe that education is the roadmap for socio-economic development of Oyo State. I am an experienced educationist, teacher, politician and administrator. I believe I will transform this state beyond imagination. One thing that also stands out is that for you to be able to administer not rule, and manage the affairs of Oyo State, you also need that experience from different parts of the country and international communities,” he said
