By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Mr Kolapo Kola-Daisi, who is the son of a foremost Nigerian industrialist, Bashorun Kola-Daisi, has clinched the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Oyo South Senatorial District.
The younger Kola-Daisi grabbed the slot at the primary of the party held on Sunday at the Le Chatteau Event Centre at Bodija in Ibadan, the state capital, amidst heavy security.
The financial expert, who married the daughter of a former Governor of Oyo State, late Abiola Ajimobi, polled 212 votes to defeat the incumbent lawmaker representing the area at the National Assembly, Mr Kola Balogun, who scored 93 votes.
He also defeated the former Oyo State Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Sharafadeen Alli who raked in 107 votes, Adegboyega Adegoke who managed to get 53 votes, Bimbo Adekanmbi who scored 98 votes, Rotimi Adeniyi who polled four votes and Waheed Olajide who got two votes.
The primary, which could not hold on Friday as earlier planned, was rescheduled for Saturday and later Sunday due to the inability of the aspirants and party leadership to resolve the discrepancies that arose on delegates’ lists.
Speaking after winning the ticket, Mr Kola-Daisi expressed admirable magnanimity in victory by saluting his co-contestants, while also inviting them to work together with him.
“Today, we took an important step towards getting involved to actualize meaningful governance and representation for the people…,” he stated.
“The members of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) spoke loudly to elect me as the flag bearer of our party for the Oyo South senatorial district.
“I am thankful to God, my wife, members of my immediate family and my team for their overwhelming support. I am particularly grateful to the good people of Oyo South, especially our party faithful and leaders from all our nine (9) local governments, who encouraged us, taught us, inspired us and challenged us towards this victory.
“It is a victory for getting involved together to achieve a kind of governance that befits and benefits us and our children,” he added.
“As I look forward to fully realizing this possibility in the general elections, and as I remain humble in victory, I salute my fellow aspirants for putting up a good fight, and I invite them to collaborate with us on this eventful journey,” he added.
