A forerunner in the House of Representatives race to represent Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency of Osun State, Olubukola Olaboopo, has withdrawn from the race, AMILOADED reports.
Olaboopo, a former Osun State Commissioner for Women, Children and Social Affairs, made this known in a statement she personally signed and made available to AMILOADED on Saturday.
The former commissioner said she decided to withdraw from the race following appeals and pressures from major stakeholders urging her to step down.
She said, “I thank my teeming supporters across the State especially across Ifelodun Boripe Odootin Federal Constituency for their genuine love, advise, guidance, warmth, support and interest in my aspiration to contest the House of Representatives seat.
“I’m at peace knowing that I fought a good fight. My indication of interest shook the Federal Constituency so much that several regroupings, rumours, theories and permutations commenced almost immediately I indicated interest, leaving me to wonder why everyone was running around.
“I thank God for the wisdom to know when to forge ahead or retreat and the divine grace of confidence to make bold decisions and stand to see them through. Myself and my team decided around 1.30am Friday, 27th May, having received a call around 12am from a much respected mentor and infact my main leader in Politics; a voice I could not ignore and a call I couldn’t have refused to pick (my team still wishes I didn’t pick it though).
“It was the 2nd time I was being talked into stepping down, my Local Government leaders had earlier did, Politics is a game of interest and everyone protects where his/her interest lies (experience to share with mentees at the Mentorship class).
“I’m happy that everyone appreciates the power of women, our power of collectivism, our power of resoluteness, the strength in our numbers and the length we can go, when we are ready to take charge.”
Olaboopo further appreciated the governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, for his stance on the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries held in the state.
The former commissioner added, “I appreciate my father and mentor, His Excellency, the Governor for his stance on the Primaries, he’s laid and charted a whole new course and brought a beautiful dimension to Party Democracy, he’s an astute leader, a Champion of democracy.
“With this historic emancipation granted democracy by the Governor, there is no more Baba sope (as our people say), no more ibi kan lokan (the game is now catch me, if you can ), no more concentration of power in the hands of the few(everyone has a say now in who represents them), no more barriers as long as you can shatter the glasses and the ceilings, the confidence of the genuine and impact making Politicians is restored (at least to a certain level), sanity restored, reduced money bag politicking and greedy emergency spendings (spend on your Constituents in the course of your assignment and not at Primaries).
“I thank you all most immensely for believing in me, I appreciate those who stood aloof waiting for our defeat (waina jundana lao mu l galibuna, our armies are victorious over them, thus saith the Lord), we thank those who couldn’t identify with us because of affiliations, we understand.
“We appreciate those who chested all and stood by the aspiration.
“I congratulate whoever emerges (as we await official declaration) and charge him to be magnimous in victory, the victory is for internal democracy not YOU!. I pray that we take a cue from Mr. Governor to stand by what’s just always even in the face of rivalling and luring options.
“I remain unflinchingly committed to the reelection of our Governor and I urge that we join hands to work for him leaving no stone unturned to ensure his victory at the polls.”
She pledged her commitment to the welfare, empowerment and development of the masses adding that she will continue to uphold, protect and promote her people both in her personal and public capacities.
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