A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and aspirant for the Oyo North Senatorial District, Col. (Rtd.) Gbenga Adegbola, has dismissed speculation that he is planning to leave the party, declaring that he remains a committed and bona fide member of the APC.
Adegbola, through his Director-General, Akin Ajekiigbe-Bada, in a statement made available to journalists on Monday, described reports of his purported defection as unfounded, saying he had no plan to abandon the party in which he and his supporters had invested considerable effort.
He said he remained confident that the issues arising from the recent APC senatorial primary in Oyo North would be resolved by the appropriate organs of the party, expressing optimism about his political future within the APC.
“It has come to my attention that some people have been spreading rumours that, I have concluded plans to leave the APC, where we have invested so much.
“I wish to state categorically that I remain a member of the APC. The issues surrounding the last primary election in Oyo North Senatorial District, in which I was an aspirant, would be addressed by the national leadership of our party, and I am still optimistic about my chances of success,” he said.
Adegbola also reaffirmed his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other leaders of the party, while urging his supporters to remain calm and focused.
He noted that, his supporters participated actively in the APC convergence held last week and would attend subsequent party activities in large numbers, urging them to disregard what he described as unfounded speculation about his political future.
“I hold the national leader of our great party, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and other leaders, friends, political associates and well-wishers in high regard. I will continue to work towards the success of the APC at the polls, and my commitment to the success of BAO at the polls is unequivocal,” he added.
The Oyo North senatorial aspirant appreciated his supporters for standing by him before, during and after the primary, assuring them that he would continue to pursue what he described as their collective mandate.
“I assure you that our mandate will be retrieved, and your hearts shall be gladdened,” he said.