In a swift reaction to the exclusive story published by this medium on Thursday evening where the chairman of the People’s Democratic Party in Osun state,Hon. Soji Adagunodo revealed that seven, out of the 23 governorship aspirants in the party withdrew their intentions owing to inability to fund the party mega rally, one of the affected aspirants, Olawale Rasheed (MOR) has said he is still in the race.
In a statement made available to Amiloaded, Rasheed described the announcement as illegal.
The statement entitled : “No Aspirants’ Meeting can Bar Another Aspirant from Seeking Guber Ticket, ” noted that only delegates have the power to determine who flies the party’s ticket for the September 22 poll.
He also described the resolution as illegal and error-ridden.
Rasheed said, “I read the story of aspirants voluntarily excluding themselvs from the race for Osun PDP ticket.I want to put it on records that such announcement is illegal.
“I am still in the race for the governorship .Delegates will decide who flags the banner of the party.
“No organ of the party at the state level has powers to bar an aspirant from seeking governorship ticket .The responsibility to screen and field candidate is that of the national leadership of the party.
“Also no organ of the party is known as Meeting of Aspirants and so it has no legal and constitutional basis to decide who run for office under the banner of the party. I believe PDP must adhere to its constitution in daily running of party affairs .
“It is an error to announce exclusion of aspirants based on alleged decision of aspirants meeting.It was an illegal resolution as contribution to party activities is a continous event.
“I therefore state that I am very much in the race for the governorship and I will purchase nomination forms when the time comes and present myself at the party primaries.The decision is for delegates to make.”
Adagunodo had said that the aspirants had met and resolved that those who could not pay the sum of 1million Naira to fund the mega rally the party hosted recently should withdraw from the race and give room for those who have financial chest to battle for the party ticket saying “governorship election is for someone who is not only credible but also has financial ability. “
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