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A governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
in Ogun State, Tunji Idowu Olurin, has denied speculations that Iyabo
Obasanjo-Bello, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has been
pencilled down as his running mate.

Mr Olurin, a retired soldier, made the explanation yesterday in
Ilaro when he was presented to the Regency Council of the ancient town.

Speaking at the palace of Olu Ilaro, the candidate further
pledged that if elected the next governor of the state, he will make “anybody
that has anything to do with our state happy.”

The former Sole Administrator of Ekiti State pledged to
“reconstruct, re-unite and rebuild the state if and when elected governor,”
while insisting that unity of purpose is needed to achieve the feat.

He told the gathering that the state’s governor, Gbenga Daniel,
is not against his aspiration.

The leader of the Elders Forum of Ogun West, Ishola Olatunji,
who presented Mr Olurin to the Regency Council, said the choice of Mr Olurin
was arrived at after two years of brainstorming on who the indigenes of the
state can trust.

Support from chiefs

He said the candidate has also received support of the paramount
ruler of Ijebuland, Sikiru Kayode Adetona; his counterpart in Remoland, Michael
Adeniyi Sonariwo and the Alake of Egbaland, Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo.

Mr Olatunji, who led 14 other elders from across the five local
governments in Ogun West, also said the father of the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Alani Bankole, has agreed to work for the emergence of Mr
Olurin as the next governor of the state.

Mr Olurin, who was accompanied by the former Military
Administrator of Lagos and Ogun States, Raji Rasaki, said Nigerians should
realise how the military background of the Senate President, David Mark, has
helped in stabilizing not only the Senate but the National Assembly.

Mr Rasaki said the record of performance of the aspirant, when he was “my
state governor in Oyo strengthens my belief in him to deliver on good
governance.”