Abuja based media expert and a member of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Ayekooto Akindele has responded to the claim by Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin that his March 28 gubernatorial ambition was traded by key members of the party in the state to ensure that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged President.
Mr. Akindele who vehemently disagreed with three term senator of Oyo Central, Oloye Folarin with his claim. He said nobody threw Folarin under the bus, he sat on the rail tracks himself and doze off.
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Ayekooto Akindele said; “The death of Abiola Ajimobi was a colossal loss to Oyo Progressives, it was a vacuum which vacancy didn’t exist. We simply became fatherless and the party became vulnerable. The first error made by Teslim was to think he could take over the party he joined few weeks to 2019 election by using the influence of outsiders. However, luck smiled on him and he was able to take over the state chapter of the party through the deal guys at the National secretariat. Congratulations. However, the wisdom needed to build a house is smaller compared to the wisdom needed to live in the house. Teslim wasn’t magnanimous in victory, he became more repressive and adopted a winner takes all approach. He pushed reconciliation to the end after he might have achieved his aim. Majority of the people he met in the party were forced to leave and any aspirant that cannot submit to him must forget his ticket. The party was destroyed beyond imagination, it made 2019 fracas a child’s play. Although, some of us who believe in party supremacy preached for it and stuck with the party but Epa didn’t meet Oro again and Cloth was late in getting to Omoye because Omoye has walked naked to the market.
“After Teslim got his ticket and tickets for all his disciples, took over the party, he now initiated a peace move. At that time, aggrieved and oppressed members have gone to Accord, PDP, SDP, LP etc, APC in the state was merely Folarin boys. But it is on record that some of us who are diehard Progressives stayed.
“Then, Asiwaju came to Ibadan and advise Teslim to reach out to all aggrieved members. What did Asiwaju mean? For those with discerning minds, Asiwaju advised him to concede some positions, make sacrifices for peace and create space for others to achieve inclusiveness. Asiwaju himself conceded National Chairmanship position to others, look at Kogi, find out why Faleke is not on the ballot. Asiwaju won’t preach what he doesn’t practice. Now, did Teslim do as advised? No, instead he was begging the cheated ones to support him and forget the past! Lol 😀.
“Seyi Makinde, like any smart politician saw a loophole and quickly took advantage. He personally negotiated with some top members of the APC in the state and even conceded to them what Teslim could not concede. Imagine Incumbent conceding and underdog cannot! That is why Teslim lost so much that he lost his polling unit by over 100 votes, lost his ward and LG. Alas!!!!
“Claiming to have been thrown under the bus by anyone shows Teslim hasn’t realised his fatal error or decide to play ostrich for face saving. I will advise him to pick the pieces of his career and do a realistic assessment so that he can forge ahead with the hope of a better tomorrow”.
