IBADAN – An Ibadan-based businessman, Olufemi Babalola, on Tuesday became the first Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant to pick the party’s nomination form ahead of the party’s primaries in October.
Babalola said at the party’s secretariat in Ibadan that his supporters raised the money for his nomination form and also promised to fund his campaign.
He said: “I did not wake up one day to declare my intention to be the governor of the state. Our people invited me and told me to contest for the position.
“I told them that that it will involve money, time and other commitment but they told me that I should entertain no fear and that the project is their own.
“When the party demanded for N5.5 million, they contributed the money in three days but today, we are paying three million naira, which means that we still have more money in our purse.
“I feel honoured and I must thank them sincerely for this gesture as they have also promised to fund the campaign,” he said.
The price for the party’s expression of interest form was reduced from N5.5 million to three million naira on Monday because some aspirants kicked against the fee.
The aspirant appealed to PDP to ensure a level playing ground for all aspirants, while promising that the welfare of the people of the state would be his priority if elected as the governor.
“This people have committed their time and money to this project, they deserve something good in return. Their welfare and basic needs are going to be the priority when we achieve our goal. [eap_ad_1] “As a well-grounded politician, who has lived all his life among the people, I know how to fix the problems in the state because I know what we are lacking.
“I have a good native knowledge of the state. If given the chance, I promise to work for the greatest good of the greatest number of our people,” he said.
The state Chairman of the party, Mr Yinka Taiwo, said the party had no anointed candidate, adding that the primaries would decide the party’s candidates for all positions.
He was represented at the occasion by the Publicity Secretary, Kehinde Salawu.(NAN)
[eap_ad_4]