An Ibadan-based businessman and Fellow Chartered Accountant, Adegboyega Adegoke, has been declared as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State following the party’s primary election held across the state.

The result of the exercise was announced on Saturday evening by the Chairman of the party’s primary election committee, Hon. Rasak Salinsile, who declared Adegoke winner after polling 16,051 votes.

Adegoke, who is also the Aare Egbe Omo Balogun of Ibadanland, defeated four other aspirants to secure the party’s ticket ahead of the governorship election.

One of his closest contenders, Chief Bisi Ilaka, polled 11,415 votes.

Speaking during the announcement of the results, Salinsile explained that the delay in collating and declaring the outcome was due to the large size of the state and the late arrival of results from some local government areas.

According to him, results from certain parts of the state were only received on Saturday afternoon before the final collation was concluded.

Addressing party members and supporters shortly after his emergence, Adegoke pledged to pursue people-oriented policies and programmes aimed at accelerating development across Oyo State if elected governor.

The ADC standard-bearer also extended an olive branch to the other aspirants, assuring them of inclusiveness and collective participation in the party’s journey toward the general election.

“I am ready to work with everybody. We will work together and brainstorm together for the betterment of Oyo State,” he said.

Adegoke added that his administration, if elected, would focus on sustaining and improving existing developmental efforts in the state.

“I will bring incremental development to Oyo State. Where the present government stops, that is where we will start,” he added.