BY AKINWALE ABOLUWADE, IBADAN
The All Progressives Congress stakeholders in Oyo State have expressed the resolve to work together in order to ensure peace in the forthcoming congresses of the party across the state.
The resolve was arrived at during the stakeholders meeting of the party held on Monday at Lafia Hotel, Ibadan ahead of the nationwide congresses of the party starting from July 24 with the Ward Congress.
A statement made available to journalists by Olawale Sadare, Personal Assistant (Media) to the state Caretaker Committee Chairman, Chief Akin Oke, read that the Oyo APC stakeholders would leave no stone unturned at ensuring total adherence to the guidelines released from the national secretariat of the party.
The statement read that “The state chairman set the tone for the harmonization of positions from all the stakeholders who attended the meeting as he said in his opening remarks that the leadership of the party would not give room for any undemocratic conduct from any quarters before, during and after the congresses.
It quoted the Oke as saying, “We are fascinated by the turn out of critical stakeholders and the calibre of party stalwarts in this all-important meeting which was organized to enable us forge a common front ahead of the forthcoming congresses of our great Party. I am, therefore, using this opportunity to assure all party faithful of transparency and fairness in the conduct of the congresses.”
Earlier at the meeting, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, former governor of Oyo State, described a united APC as a threat to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
The former governor, and Chairman, Oyo APC Elders Advisory Council, urged stakeholders to ensure crisis-free congresses saying, “Those in government now have failed. That is why people are trooping to join the APC en-mass.
“I can tell you categorically that we have become a major threat to the PDP in Oyo State. There is serious confusion among them. Our unity has become an headache to them. They never expected us to come together and form a formidable force that we all see today.
“Take for example, the local government meeting of the APC in Ibadan North Local Government Area; it caught them unawares. The turnout was super impressive. Go to Atisbo Local Government Area in Oke Ogun area of the state, it is the same success story. The report of our registration exercise, which is still ongoing, is another success story.
“With all these and many more successes too numerous to mention, it behoves on us to be mindful of our actions at every given time. We cannot afford to jeopardise this fragile opportunity at hand. The PDP is seriously rattled by our deft political moves. They planned to infiltrate our camp to distabilize us. They planned to use every available opportunity to turn the table against us, but we must not allow them,” Alao-Akala said.
He urged members to eschew violence and discord in the forthcoming congresses, saying, “We should allow a level-playing ground in choosing who will steer the ship of the party as executives. We will not allow imposition. We will not allow thuggery and brigandage. We will not allow any form of violence. We will lead by example.
“Women should come out en-mass. Your participation is very important at this stage. We will give priority to your participation in the coming congress elections.”
Among those at the meeting are Minister of Sports, Chief Sunday Dare; former Minister of Sports, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja; Pa Jolaoso, a former deputy governor in the state, Chief Moses Adeyemo; Senator Ademola Adeseun, Senator Femi Lanlehin, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, Olusegun Odebunmi; and Dapo Lam-Adesina.
Also at the meeting are Senator Soji Akanbi, Prof. Adeolu Akande, Wunmi Oladeji, Akeem Adeyemi, Asimiyu Alarape, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, Chief Bayo Adelabu, Mogaji Olorode, Abu Gbadamosi, Joseph Tegbe, Alhaji Basiru Ajibade, Alhaji Bolaji Kareem and Ajao Jacob.
Others are Sarafadeen Ali, Chief Niyi Akintola, Olagunju Ojo, Dr Ayandele, Dr Gbade Ojo, Iyiola Oladokun, Saheed Fijabi, Lowo Obisesan, Alhaji Laide Abass, Mrs Ogunesan, Olalekan Ali, Ajiboye Omodewu, Mrs Folake Olunloyo Oshimowo, Dr Yunus Akintunde, Prof. Niyi Olowofela, former legislators, former commissioners and former elected local council chairmen, led by Abass Aleshinloye.
