Two senatorial candidates and two House of Representatives candidates of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Osun Chapter have dumped the party, declaring their support for presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima.
The candidates who declared their support for Tinubu are: Osun Central Senatorial candidate, Kola Bamgbola; Osun West Senatorial candidate, Mayowa Akinyode, candidate for Boluwaduro /Ifedayo/Ila Federal Constituency, Elijah Fabayo and candidate for Ijesa South Federal Constituency, Babatunde Ajayi.
Speaking on behalf of other candidates who were physically present at NUJ press center, Osogbo on Wednesday, Osun Central candidate, Bamgbola said the decision to back the APC presidential candidate emanated from dissatisfaction with the NNPP leadership at the national level and the inability of the party stakeholders to work in accordance with justice and democratic running of the party.
Bamgbola accused the NNPP leadership of working for their selfish interest rather than working for a common goal, adding that the unprofessionalism of the National Secretary, Mr Dipo Olayoku, and the South West Zonal Secretary, Mr Tunde Oke, coupled with other inexperienced ones will jeopardise our vision for a new Nigeria.
He said, “We, candidates for Osun Central Senatorial District, Osun West Senatorial District and two House of Representatives candidates and one other House of Assembly, we wish to announce and declare our support and endorsement for the All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the coming election.
“This is as a result of our dissatisfaction with the leadership of the party at the national level coupled with the inability of the party stakeholders to work in accordance with the principle of justice, disobedient of the rule of law, and undemocratic running of the party..
“On desire to enjoy good governance and dividends of democracy which can be realized under a new Nigeria, can only be found in the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“On this note, we the two senatorial candidates and House of Representatives candidates, while others are still coming to endorse Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for president, we declare our movement today and name the agent of New Nigeria for Asiwaju.”
He disclosed that more candidates of the party would also be leaving the party in a couple of weeks to back Tinubu’s ambition.