Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has on Tuesday announced the Chairman of Oyo State Housing Corporation, Barrister Bayo Lawal as his running mate ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Makinde made the announcement during a meeting with stakeholders of the party from Oke-Ogun zone, at the Presidential Lodge, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
The governor said he chose a running mate from the Irepo/Olorunsogo/Oorelope Federal Constituency, where his incumbent deputy hails from, to ensure balance in the state.
Also speaking at the end of the meeting, the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP, Bayo Lawal, expressed appreciation to Governor Makinde and all the leaders from Oke Ogun for choosing him as the governor’s running mate.
He said: “This is a great privilege that I won’t take lightly or simply but with all seriousness. Our leaders have spoken about the journey so far. A lot of consultations have gone into choosing me as the running mate of the governor come 2023.
“Obviously, His Excellency’s considerations are many but he singled out a few of them – replacing his running mate from the same federal constituency where the current Deputy Governor came from.
“So, it is really a great honour for all of us in the Oke-Ogun region, which the Deputy Governor has been zoned to.
“I, therefore, wish to extend my appreciation to all my leaders from Oke- Ogun. To the glory of God, none of our leaders opposed my nomination as running mate, which clearly shows the acceptance is overwhelming.
“However, this throws a lot of challenges to me as a person. First, I have pleaded with all my leaders to give maximum cooperation to this administration. We want to continue on that pace and tempo and even add more.
“That is what I am supposed to do as the Deputy Governor and I pledge my loyalty to the governor, the party and the people of Oyo state.”