Segun Atanda/
The battleground for the Oyo State governorship seat in 2019 is set with the emergence of candidates from two leading parties.
Today the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) picked former CBN deputy governor, Mr Adebayo Adelabu as its candidate, while the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) settled for Mr Seyi Makinde, a businessman.
Both parties held governorship primaries today.
The governorship battle may, however, be a three horse race between the top parties in the state, when the candidate of the African Democratic Congress emerges on Thursday.
Other parties, including Labour Party, Accord, Kowa, Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Action Democratic Party (ADP) are yet to present their candidates.
Five APC aspirants stepped down for Adelabu to emerge almost unopposed. Aspirants who stepped down during the primaries included Joseph Tegbe, who was originally favoured to clinch ticket, Dr. Babalola Owolabi and Olusola Ayandele.
Niyi Akintola (SAN) was the last to step down, a decision he took reluctantly.
Announcing his withdrawal from the race at the venue, Akintola said: “I feel cheated.”
He added, “I have not really benefitted anything from my struggle. I am taking this decision against the wish of my immediate family. I have listened to the advice of our party leaders, especially Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I feel cheated and I hereby announce my exit from Oyo State party politics.”
Former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, who is also an aspirant, said yesterday that he was boycotting the exercise. His agents were however seen at the Lekan Salami Stadium, where the primary election was held.
At the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Makinde emerged after fellow aspirant, Ayo Adeseun abandoned the process, claiming that the delegates list had been doctored.