* Says I am in court already, no room for appeal
* Unveils Abayomi Odunowo as running mate
Ahead of the 2027 Governorship election election in Ogun State, a former governorship aspirant of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in the State, Abayomi Hunye, has dismissed claims that he stepped down, saying he remains in the race.
Hunye made the disclosure during a news conference held to unveil his running mate, Abayomi Odunowo, in Abeokuta, the State capital.
Odunowo is a native of Ijebu-Ode in Ogun East Senatorial district of the State.
The gathering had hundreds of party faithful from all the 20 local government areasin attendance.
The Tracker recalled that, Hunye obtained the governorship nomination form of the APC against the consensus arrangement by the party’s leadership in the state.
Hunye’s move was against the adoption of the senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Adeola, a.k.a as Yayi, as the APC’s consensus governorship candidate on April 13.
Hunye while speaking said contrary to claims that the matter had been settled, he’s still in the race, stressing that he decided to come out now because of provisions in the amended Electoral Act.
According to him, “They said they have made some appeals to me and I have stepped down. Some said it has been settled. I want to tell everybody in Ogun that that’s a big lie. I am still in the race. We are in court. And I am believing God that at the end of the day, victory is His. I have decided to keep quiet before. But two reasons I changed my mind.”
Hunye explained that the new electoral stipulated that no court will grant relief to any aspirant or candidate who did not participate in the electoral process.
His words: “One, I looked at the new amended constitution. It said no court will oblige any candidate or aspirant that is challenging any candidate in court that refuses to participate in the process. The first process was the primary and the second process starting on the 9th of September is the campaign.
So if you are sure that you are actually a candidate or in turn you have gone to court, you must also participate in the next phase of the election process. And on this note, so that at the end of the day, nobody will get to the court and say, yes, he is qualified, he met all the criteria. But one thing, there was no evidence of campaigning.”
Hunye revealed that he the moved fast to unveil his running mate to avoid imposition, saying two cannot walk together, unless they agreed.
“As of today now, all the assembly has been picked. They also picked a deputy governor. If I refuse to pick my deputy governor, I will be compelled to adopt theirs, which is more dangerous than even contesting at all”, he stated.
Hunye declared “We have been both as parents in this state. I want to tell you, if not because it is the turn of Yewa , that’s my belief. If it were to be the turn of Ogun East, I would have supported him in the same way.
I have the grace of God, and the support of everybody sitting here, to announce to you today, my friend, Otunba Abayomi Odunowo, as my deputy”.
He said he won’t back down even if the party’s leadership appealed to him, saying the time has passed for appeal.
Hunye, while accusing some people of trying to push him out of the race, expressed confidence in the Judiciary and support of the people of the state.
He dismissed question from a reporter that his action is against the party’s supremacy, insisting that he is only exercising his right as a Nigerian and a true son of the State.
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