Groups in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, on Wednesday rejected the committee set up by Governor Adebayo Alao Akala – led Elders Advisory Committee to zone party offices ahead of the October 16 State Congress of the party.
The groups are the Unity Forum, the Zenith Labour Party(ZLP), the Bayo Adelabu Group,Joseph Tegbe Group forming the bulk of the Ajimobi Legacy Forum and the Niyi Akintola Group.
The five groups rose from a four hour meeting in Ibadan to deliberate on the purported constitution of a zoning committee by former Governor Akala and his alleged controversial Elders Advisory Committee.
Contained in a communique signed by representatives of the groups and released by Alhaji Abu Gbadamosi who presided over the meeting, it was resolved that the constitution of the committee on zoning by the ‘Advisory committee’ is alien to the constitution and practice of the APC.
Also, the APC groups described the Elders Advisory Committee as illegal, adding that it is unknown to the Constitution of the party. “Moreso, the attempt by stakeholders of the party to establish one on September 20,2020 ended in a stalemate”.
They further alleged that the constitution of the zoning committee was undertaken without due consultation with critical stakeholders in the party.
Signatories to the communique included : Senator Ayoade Adeseun, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin,Senator Adesoji Akanbi, Alhaji Abdulraman Adebayo Shittu, former Minister for Communications, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, APC Gubernatorial Candidate, 2019 election, RT HON Gunju Ojo, former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, RT HON Adeniyi Akintola SAN, former Deputy Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Chief Sharafadeen Alli, former Secretary to the Government of Oyo State, Alhaji Waheed Olajide, former Secretary to the Government of Oyo State, Barrister Michael Lana, former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Oyo State, Chief Abubakar Gbadamosi Adejare, Chairman of Elders Council of APC in Oke Ogun Zone, Dr. Joseph Tegbe, Gubernatorial Aspirant, Chief Akinade Fijabi, Chieftain of the APC, Alhaji Basiru Ajibade, Chairman, Ibadan Municipal Elders’ Council and Secretary, Oyo State.
Others are, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, Chairman, Nigerian Lotteries Commission, Dr Ismail Adewusi, Post Master General of the Federation. Professor Adeolu Akande, Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Hon. Bimbo Adepoju, former Chairman, Oyo State Hospital Management Board, Hon.Gbenga Olayemi, former Chairman, Oyo State Youth Development Agency, Hon Yekini Popoola, former Chairman, Association of Local Government Chairmen of Oyo State. Chief Bosun Ajuwon, former Chairman, Association of Local Government Chairmen (ALGON), Hon Abass Aleshinloye, forner Chairman, Association of Local Government Chairmen, Alhaji Isiaka Alimi,Deputy State Chairmen,APC, Chief Goke Oyetunji,former State Vice Chairman, APC,Oyo State
“The path to a rancour-free state congress in the state is the truthful, honest and sincere engagement of critical stakeholders without a clandestine design to foist any group or candidate on the party.
“We implore leaders in the party to live up to the expectations of the exalted positions they are holding in the party and government.
“We restate our loyalty and commitment to the party under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari”, the communique reads.
