Share/Oke-Ode Assembly Seat: Evidence Shows I Won APC Primary-Razaq Owolabi

A member of Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon Razaq Owolabi has asserted that he won the Share/Oke-Ode APC House of Assembly primary held in the constituency a few weeks ago while noting that he has evidence to back his claims.

He also submitted that those who were tasked with conducting a free and fair primary election in the constituency failed in their responsibility, pointing fingers at some APC ward chairmen in the constituency.

Hon Owolabi also said the Share Ward 3 and 4 APC chairmen carried out the electoral fraud at Dr Segun Ogunsola’s instigation.

Ogunsola is the state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development.

‘There are10 wards in our constituency. There were designated places for collection of materials, where the materials will be taken to and where voting will take place.

The party said voting will take place at the headquarters of each ward. I have video clips, I have evidence to show that I won the primary held at the ward headquarters.

In Oke-Ode 1, 2, 3, kudos to the party leaders in Oke-Ode district like Barrister Hassan Garuba, Alhaji Fatahi Labaka, Barrister Jejelola, Hon Adekola Razaq, Baba Malki, Alhaja Fali Aliu, Mr Yinusa Omiaro and others, they took steps to ensure a peaceful primary and what they did was that because of insecurity, leaders in the 3 wards made an arrangement that was welcomed by all including our supporters, I can only accept results from the three wards in question.

 The remaining 7 wards; Share 1, 5 and others, we went to the field  I can show you the video clips of the crowd of people but the ward chairmen did not show up rather they went to concoct figures.

 In my area, the people that came out to vote for me were more than 2,000 ditto Share 5, Share 1 and 2. They came out in large numbers displaying my campaign posters.

If anyone says Iam not aggrieved, it will be a lie but people have been calling me asking if it is the same Owolabi that they know? Yes, it is me, I have not changed however I need to respect the party, Iam a member of APC and I am one of those who promoted the party to this level but the party at the state and national levels should do the needful.

People who have felt upset, I have urged them to please exercise self-restraint’ he told Team@orientactualmags.com on Tuesday.

The state lawmaker also clarified and submitted that the party did not renominate him because he has already spent two terms and it was considered necessary that other party members should have their turn but rather for untold reasons.

‘It is not because I have spent two terms that the party failed to renominate me, actually a lawmaker can continue to serve and represent his people once he enjoys their support.

Even there are current members of the House of Assembly who have been renominated by the party.  The two lawmakers from Oyun local government; Hon Toye Musa Atoyebi and Hon Ojo Olayiwola Oyebode, the Deputy Speaker have spent two terms and they have been renominated by the party.

Have they performed better than me both in legislative duties and the party level? With due respect to them, Iam not condemning anybody but what is good for the goose is good for the gander.

My people want me to continue as their representative, I was not the one who produced the campaign poster that had an inscription ‘Owolabi Leekan si’, it is my constituents who did that. They want me to continue to serve them’ he said.

Hon Razaq Owolabi also asserted that he is a true party man and emphasized the need for party leaders at all levels to ensure that necessary steps are taken to correct the identified wrongs.

‘I have invested a lot in the party in terms of time, energy and resources and I have also benefited from the party.

 I will never regret showing commitment to the party and ensuring its growth and progress.  

Assuming we do not have rumbling of annoyance in our party, if there is no bottled-up emotional feelings and grievances, and the right candidates are presented, we can boldly assert that our party will win with ease because we are on sure footing and we are firmly on the ground.

Will he be supporting Speaker Yakubu Danladi’s governorship bid? ‘Speaker Yakubu Danladi is my in-law, my son bears Bio and Dantala, so, no one will expect me not to support him’ he quipped.

Responding to a question asking if he feels he is being punished because he supported Senator Salihu Mustapha’s governorship bid, he said ‘it could be so’ but however submitted that he will never regret doing that.

‘With respect to supporting Senator Salihu Mustapha’s governorship bid , I will never regret doing that.

 If Iam being punished for supporting Senator Salihu Mustapha’s guber bid, I will say ‘alihamdulilahi robili a lamina’. .

I was in this Kwara State during the Adamu Attah administration, and the C.O Adebayo administration even though I was young.  I was here when late Admiral Lawal spent 4 years as governor, Senator Bukola Saraki was there for 8 years, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed 8 years and Mallam Abdulrazaq is about completing his 8 years, insha Allah , we will be in this Kwara when the next governor will spend his 8 years too .Once you have faith in God and you know you are doing the right thing , do not be worried just let your conscience be clear.

 If Iam being punished because I supported Senator Mustapha, no problem, I feel no regrets please’ he added.

 Is Hon Razaq Owolabi a member of G15?

‘If I say Iam not a member of G 15, it will be a big lie but we are not fighting the party’ he submitted-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you