A former presidential aspirant and student of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), and chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party, (NNPP) Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has emerged as the Ogun State Gubernatorial Candidate of the party.
Ajadi, who is also the President of All Youths Reoriented Initiative of Nigeria, emerged through consensus at a massively attended and peaceful primary to replace the placeholder, Olujobi Fayoyin.
Delegates from across the 20 Local Governments of the state participated in the primary with national officers of the party in attendance. There was an uproarious approval the moment Ajadi was announced as the eventual flagbearer of the party in the state.
Mr. Oguntoyinbo emerged following the disqualification of two factional governorship candidates, Ezekiel Fayoyin and Kassim Jackie-Adunni by the national leadership of the NNPP.
The state chairperson of the party, Olaposi Oginni, confirmed the disqualification of Fayoyin and Jackie-Adunni to the Party members, at the party secretariat.
Mr. Oguntoyinbo had earlier pulled out of the party’s presidential primary, with the hope of becoming the running mate of the former Kano State Governor, Musa Kwankwaso, the flag bearer of the party.
He emerged as the winner of the rerun governorship primary held at the NNPP secretariat in Abeokuta on Wednesday evening.
Announcing Mr. Oguntoyinbo, the Chairman, Electoral Committee and Returning Officer of the party, Abdullahi Dogonnama, said the party acted in line with the INEC’s substitution provision of candidates.
The candidate thanked party members and delegates for their support and the opportunity to serve them.
The event was held at the State Secretariat, Asheron, Ogun State, on the 3rd of August, 2022, Ajadi later told journalists, that work for the revitalisation of Ogun State as a gateway state had already begun.
He said a State which had produced great men before now, like academics, statesmen, and entrepreneurs should not be seen to be lagging. the home of great politicians, academics, entrepreneurs; scientists; great sportsmen and women, adding that anyone that looks around will agree that, things are not working the way they should be.
He said, “Government is not about the governor and his immediate cabinet alone. NNPP has come to change the narrative,” he said.
The excerpt from his remarks. “Our party is not satisfied with the state of roads in our dear state, especially when you move out of the capital and other cities.
“It does seem as if border communities like Ibafo, AKute, etc are not part of Ogun state, but millions of our people live there, hundreds of businesses are done there; we will address it.
“Every day, we hear stories of armed robbery, burglary, kidnap, and other security risks in the state! We will put a stop to it.
“We commend the OPC, Amotekun, and neighbourhood Watch for their efforts.
“Our government will collaborate with them and address the encroachment of criminals be they herdsmen or kidnappers in Ogun State.
“We will introduce incentives for policemen serving here; will install CCTV cameras in different parts of the state, with inter-community surveillance.
“Ogun must be safe and secure. An NNPP administration will see to that.
“We will not run a state owing people salaries or pensions after they have served the state, that is a grave injustice and I promise all our people that all outstanding payments will be addressed. we promise a new salary structure upon being elected.