Politics
2023: ‘Don’t destabilize your party’, Oyo APC non-align movement cautions Unity Forum, others
A group, APC Non Align Movement has cautioned the Unity Forum not to constitute itself as agent of destabilization of the unity and progress of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
This was made known in a reaction to the statement issued by the Unity Forum claiming that it was not consulted in the constitution of the zoning committee set up by the Elders’ Advisory Committee ahead of the state congress of the party.
In a release signed by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Hon. Biodun Jonathan Oladejo and made available to journalists, the group said it was surprised and taken aback by the behaviour and dastard acts of a number of groups within the party on the purported zoning committee put in place by the Party’s Elders Advisory Committee headed by Ex-Governor, Adebayo Alao Akala.
It would be recalled that the nine-man adhoc committee was recently inaugurated to work on the modalities of arranging positions into the three senatorial districts with the aim of having a seamless State Congress scheduled for 16th of October, 2021.
The Adhoc Committee was established with a lifespan to terminate immediately after the zoning is made and popularly accepted.
According to the group, “what is more annoying is that a serving Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who hails from Ogbomoso, the same home state of the Advisory Committee Chairman could be claiming that critical stakeholders were not duly consulted before the decision to inaugurate the adhoc committee was taken while others who are yet to openly associate with the party were consulted.”
“His case must have been that he’s too far from not only the party but his people. The said minister until his appointment never attended any party meeting either in Ogbomoso or the state capital which reflects his indigene-ship by diaspora.
“While the case of the Unity Forum could not be left unattended too, though not a genuine complaint as they claim, two of their leaders were actually listed in the nine-man adhoc committee. The awkward intent of the Unity Forum is to have a sharing formula of 50-50 right from on set as against the Lafia hotel stakeholders generally accepted participation from the ward levels. In this case of State exco congress, what grouse should they have participating in populating a consensus list from their respective zones into the senatorial districts and aggregation at the state? This exercise should make them warm up harmoniously with other recognized stakeholders and elders in their respective zones and senatorial districts. Politics is local.
“The proposal of a 36-man committee as highlighted in their press release could be referred to as a hungry man policy while the various legacy parties that came together as APC and other joiners are more than five in number. How come the Unity Forum which is just a group within the party claims majority and seek 50% sharing formula? Do we need to remind them that they left the party in 2019 and some of them returned after election without winning any polling unit even when they were together? The results of the last general election speak for itself”, the statement said.
It continued, “The nine-man Adhoc committee should as a matter of fact go ahead with the zoning arrangement which should be into senatorial districts ONLY while the stakeholders in each district should work on micro zoning into zones and down to the local government areas. This gives all strata of leadership sense of belonging as the leaders of each LGAs decides on each nominee to zoned positions.
“The committee should also note that their work could be rejected if they go beyond their terms of reference and they must be time conscious as we do not have the luxury of time.
The group also implored the Unity forum and other similar groups to move into their constituencies and work in consensus arrangement as the wish of the party in each Local Government Area because there can never be any percentage sharing formula. Enough is enough, we move”, the statement concluded.
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the newly elected State Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
The party, at its state congress held on Tuesday at Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, elected a former Deputy Governor of the state, Moses Alake Adeyemo, as its new chairman alongside other state executive members.
Oseni, in a statement on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, described Adeyemo’s emergence as well-deserved, noting that his experience and longstanding commitment to the party would further strengthen its structure in the state.
He said the peaceful conduct of the congress demonstrated the party’s commitment to internal democracy and progressive leadership.
The statement said, “I congratulate our newly elected State Chairman and leader, His Excellency, Moses Alake Adeyemo, and other members of the State Executive Committee on their emergence. This victory reflects the confidence reposed in them by party members across the state.”
Oseni further expressed confidence that the new leadership would reposition the party for greater cohesion and electoral success.
According to him, “This is a critical moment for our party in Oyo State. It calls for unity, reconciliation, and renewed commitment to the ideals that bind us together as progressives.”
The federal lawmaker assured the new executives of his support and cooperation in advancing the programmes of the party and strengthening its grassroots structures.
He urged party members to rally behind the new leadership to ensure stability and secure future victories for the APC in the state.
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