Bye-election: 20 APC aspirants jostle to succeed Akinremi in Ibadan North

By Jude Opara

No fewer than 20 aspirants have indicated interest in contesting the forthcoming bye-election in Ibadan North federal constituency on the platform of All Progressives Congress, (APC)

Peoples Daily reports that the federal constituency seat became vacant as a result of the demise of the last occupant of the seat, Hon. Musliudeen Olaide Akinremi.

Akinremi, who was serving his second term in the office on the platform of APC, died at the age of 51 on Wednesday, 10th July, 2024.

He was thereafter buried on Thursday, 11th July, 2024 according to Islamic rites.

APC Chairman in the state, Alhaji Olayide Abas, while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday in Ibadan, the state capital, said over 20 persons were interested in the position.

The meeting was attended by some of the aspirants, among whom are: Olusegun Olaleye, Wale Olatunji, Adekunle Oladeji, Umar Arisekola Alao, AbdulRasaq AbdulGaniyy, Khalil Mustapha, Kamil Omotosho, Taofeek Aderogba, Idris Babatunde Lapade and Musibau Ayinla.

Abas appealed to leaders of the political party and the aspirants to cooperate with the party so as to pick the best among the aspirants.

He said, “We are aware of the fact about 20 members of the APC in Ibadan North Federal Constituency have indicated their interest to emerge as the candidate of our party in the anticipated bye-election and I am particularly delighted each of the interested aspirants is more qualified to represent the all-important constituency in the Green Chamber.

“However, the high number of aspirants is raising some dust but I can assure that we will be fair to all concerned.

“Ibadan North Federal Constituency cannot afford to have a representative whose voice would not be heard on account of party inferiority and this is another justification for a candidate of the APC to return to that seat.

“All hands are already on deck as stakeholders from within and outside the state have indicated their readiness to rally round the candidate of our party.

“We can only appeal to party leaders, aspirants and other concerned individuals and groups in the federal constituency to cooperate with us as we are poised to midwife a free and fair process in picking the party candidate soon”.