Twenty-seven aspirants will contest All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Osun State, Chairman of the party, Mr. Gboyega Famodun, has said.
Famodun, at a meeting with the aspirants yesterday in Osogbo, said they aspirants could engage in consultation ahead of primaries for the September 22 poll.
Notable among aspirants at the meeting are Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Lasun Yussuff; Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Mr Najeem Salaam and Chief of Staff to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Mr Gboyega Oyetola.
Others include Secretary to Osun Government Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, and Chairman, Osun Civil Service Commission Mr Peter Babalola.
Famodun said Expression of Intention to contest would attract N500,000.
He urged aspirants not to see the primary election as a do-or-die affair.
The chairman enjoined aspirants to abide by rules and guidelines of the party, and warned against hate speech and anti-party activities.
He said the party would ensure free, fair and credible primaries.
“I appeal to the aspirants not to conduct themselves in a way that will embarrass the party or make it to be as if we are at war with one another,” Famodun said.
He went on: “Our rules of campaign is that you should have a decent and colourful statewide campaign for the mobilisation of members and promotion of the party and the government. You should not engage in hate speech, promotion or rancour and anti-war type sentiments. Do not malign the party and the government.
“You should foster the unity of the party in all your activities and don’t encourage any factionalisation. Your campaign must reflect the state of our economy. You must have beautiful and well organised outings. No flamboyant or ostentation. You should launch your campaign from the party’s secretariat in Osogbo. Itinerary of campaigns must be approved by the party.
“There should be maximum guarantee of security and safety. You must avoid any action or statement that can embarrass the party and the government. You must conduct yourself and team with decorum, pride and dignity always.”
Responding on behalf of other aspirants, Salaam promised that they would abide by the rules and regulations during campaigns.
