The governorship candidate of Social Democratic Party in Oyo State, Michael Lana, has withdrawn from the race to back Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of Saturday’s polls.
Lana made his position known on Tuesday at a press conference, which was held at Iyaganku Quarters in Ibadan, the state capital.
The former Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice explained that he had consulted widely before stepping down to support the incumbent governor, adding that the decision was taken alongside the SDP House of Assembly candidates.
He said, “During my radio interview recently, I duly informed members of the public that wherever I step down it would be a decision by all candidates, especially the House of Assembly candidates of the SDP, of which I am the governorship flag-bearer.
“We have consulted widely; we have talked with some national officers of the party and my supporters among the trade unions, traditional rulers, market associations and religious bodies.
“As you are aware, in almost all radio interviews I featured, I was asked whether, as it had become the habit of this party, I too would step down at the end of the day. Believing I was in the midst of ideologically sound members, and knowing myself as a principled person, I always answered in the negative. I believed fervently that my gospel of issues and ideas would earn me the victory that the people of the state deserve.”
Lana pointed out that events in the past few weeks had proved him wrong as some party chieftains believed only in money politics and victory by vote-buying.
He lamented that some of those at the helm of affairs of the party in the state had sold them out for a pittance and declared for the opposition without their knowledge or consent.
“We had to sit down and rethink and take a decision that will be in the best interest of the neglected and aggrieved party members, the candidates and the generality of the people of the state that we set out to serve. After several consultations, we resolved that the best thing for the state right now is to align ourselves with a really progressive candidate.
“We have therefore resolved to inform all our teeming supporters to vote massively for Makinde of PDP on Saturday, March 18, 2023 and get him elected as governor of the state,” Lana pointed out.
