A United Kingdom-based businessman, Rotimi Paseda, on Saturday emerged the governorship candidate of Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, for Ogun State.

Mr. Paseda’s emergence followed the party’s congress held at Nurade Hall, Ikangba area of Ijebu-Ode, which is located in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area.

Mr. Paseda was returned unopposed.

The delegates came from all the 236 wards in the state, representing all the existing 20 LGAs of the state.

The election was conducted by senior officials of the party which include: Ajayi Olusola (Vice-National Chairman, North-Central), Adekunle Oshinoiki (UPN, Lagos Chairman), Folasade Ola (Osun UPN Governorship Candidate) and Adesope Dare (Assistant Publicity Secretary, South-West).

Also, officials of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, police and journalists monitored the election.

At the end of the count, Mr. Paseda scored 438 votes out of 442 total votes, and was subsequently declared the party governorship flagbearer of the party for the 2015 poll.

In his acceptance speech, Rotimi Paseda said his emergence as the party’s flagbearer was history in the making, saying he was stepping into late Obafemi Awolowo’s shoe.

“This is history in the making. I’m stepping into the shoe of Baba Awolowo. I appreciate all delegates for the confidence reposed in me, I will not disappoint, I will return all goods Awolowo did under UPN,” he said.

“I will lead by example, I can assure you that Oke-Mosan straight, God’s grace, UPN will take over power in Ogun State by 2015.”