Senator Teslim Folarin (APC-Oyo Central), has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State.

Mr Folarin emerged as a candidate after polling 954 votes in the primaries held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium on Thursday in Ibadan.

Mr Folarin, a former Senate leader, is the current Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content.

The governorship primary in the state, conducted by the Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi-led Committee, had six other aspirants – Adebayo Adelabu, Akeem Agbaje, Akeem Alao, Akeem Agbaje, Dr Azeez Adeduntan and Adeniyi Akintola (SAN).

Mr Folarin polled 954 votes, Mr Adelabu 327, Mr Agbaje 15, Mr Alao six, Mr Adeduntan two votes while Mr Akintola had no vote. There were 11 invalid votes.

Dr Abdullahi Kuso, the secretary of the committee, who doubled as the returning officer, declared Mr Folarin winner of the primary, having polled the highest number of votes.

Mr Folarin, in his acceptance speech, expressed undiluted resolve to rescue Oyo State from what he called “maladministration of the PDP-led government”.

“I wholeheartedly accept my nomination as Oyo State Governorship Candidate of the APC for the 2023 general elections.”

He said that with their continuous cooperation, understanding and support, “we shall return Oyo APC to winning ways in 2023.”

According to him, “my nomination by the majority of our party delegates has further reinforced my conviction that God and the good people of Oyo State are indeed behind my 2023 Rescue Mission.

“I want to state that there is no victor, no vanquished in the contest for the 2023 governorship ticket of our great party,” the other aspirants are also eminently qualified to govern our dear state.”

“Let’s come together as family members to build a formidable and indivisible Oyo APC that is capable of ensuring electoral victories in 2023,” he said.

NAN