By Sodiq Yusuf
Spokesperson of the Nigerian Senate and the
Senator representing Osun Central Senato
rial District, Senator (Dr.) Ajibola Basiru, has opined that it is too early for members and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be discussing about the re-election of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, come 2022.
According to Basiru, focus should be on governance, development of the state and laudable achievements to canvass for votes when 2022 comes, instead of dissipating energy on untimely debate regarding who becomes what, more than two years ahead.
Basiru, who spoke on a private radio station in Osogbo on Monday, said it was uncharitable for anybody to be talking about 2022 now, saying that there is enough time to talk about the second term ambition of Governor Oyetola.
Speaking on the recent call for zoning of the governorship ticket of the party to Osun West Senatorial District by a group, Osun Network For Equity and Social Justice, Basiru said there is no zoning in the constitution of the APC, saying that zoning has never been the basis for fielding candidates.
He said: “It is uncharitable for anybody to be talking about 2022 now. The concern of our party and that of the government is to ensure that we have landmark achievements that will speak for us and campaign for our party in 2022.
“I want to say that legally speaking, there is no zoning in the constitution of APC and there has never been anytime that zoning will be the basis for fielding a candidate in our party.
“I would also advise stakeholders in our political party that it is too early to be joining issues with faceless elements on the contest in 2022. We still have about three months to the second year anniversary of Governor Oyetola’s administration. We still have enough time before we talk about second term.
“As somebody who believes in our party and who wants the Governor to succeed, I believe the focus now should be on governance, to develop our state and have something to canvass with when 2022 comes. Even, with our laws, the time for contest has not arisen.
“As a politician that believes that performance is key to re-election of any government, we must emphasise performance, delivery and development of our state, these will be ingredients to run a good campaign.”