By Richard Ayinde, Osogbo
Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Alhaji AbdulRasak Salinsile, has condemned in totality the insinuation making the round that he is no more in the party’s Chairmanship race in the state, saying nothing will stop him from contesting the position.
Salinsile, who is the current Osun APC Caretaker Secretary, while answering questions from journalists in Osogbo the state capital, said “anybody that says I have quit must be a very big liar”
Hon Salinsile described the insinuations by faceless group of people that he had pulled out of the race for the state party chairmanship position as unfounded, stressing that nothing can stop him from running for the position.
The Iwo born politician who boasted that he has what it takes to be the number one member of the APC in Osun said though the party is doing fine, but when he becomes the party Chairman, he would give room for inclusive participation of members in the affairs of the party.
“I am still very much in the race, more than ever before. I have not quit from the race, anybody that says I have quit must be a very big liar.
“This is a party affairs nobody advised me to do it. I decided to contest because I know I have a lot I can offer the party. As the state Secretary of the party, at least for the past close to seven years, the public should know that I will have some things to add to the progress of the party in the state.
“Anybody who sees the way I work will know that I am very passionate about it and that I want to further contribute my quotas to the development of the party and by extension to the development of humanity in the state. So I am very much in the race.
“As far as I am concerned, I am very happy about the way people relate with me, and going by the information from those who know of my ambition and the advise they give me, I am satisfied.
“The party is doing fine but there are always rooms for improvement. I want to improve on membership participation.
Hon Salinsile, however, pledged to ensure that there would be good rapport between the party members and the executives from units, ward, local government and the state.
He added that the party leadership at the state level would ensure regular visitations to the members in each of the wards and local government just as he vowed to be organizing competition among the members of the party, this according to him would strength the cordial relationships among the members.
He also said that if given the chance to become the party Chairman, the party would be financially independent in all ramifications.
The former Osun lawmaker, while speaking on the current political situation in the state, said as a politician it would be suicidal to underrate anybody as far as politics is concerned.
He described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a strong opposition party saying there is the need for the ruling party to buckle up since politics is dynamic.
“PDP is a threat. Though politics is dynamic but in any context, it would be suicidal to underrate anybody. If I say straight away that PDP is not anything, then, i’m deceiving myself.
“PDP is the main opposition we have in this state and we should be very careful. It’s when elections are conducted and one wins that he can say, yes, we are on the ground.
“Like I always tell people when you want to kill a cockroach, it’s better you go and get a sledge hammer to kill it to known that you have finally killed it and nothing can bring it back.
“Instead of saying PDP is this, PDP is that, what I will say is that we should not rest on our oars. We are doing what it takes to make sure that, comes next election, APC still wins. I see them as strong opposition but their problem is not unsurmountable, so we are working hard and we will continue to work hard to make sure that victory is ours.
Hon Salinsile, however commended the governor of the state, Mr Gboyega Oyetola for working assiduously towards the development of the state as well as betterment of the entire citizens.
