Prominent chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo have rejected the outcome of the party’s recently conducted local government congress, describing it as an imposition and calling for an immediate review.
The aggrieved leaders made their position known in a petition addressed to the state chairman of the party, a copy of which was made available to journalists on Wednesday.
Signatories to the petition include Chief Ajuwon James Olusegun (Ward 2), Chief Mrs Jemilat Adesina Ajimobi (Ward 4), Alhaji Chazali Remi Ajani (Ward 1), Hon. Fadiran Ilelabayo (Ward 12), Hon. Gbenga Ogeye (Ward 3), Engineer Toriola Oyesomi (Ward 8) and Hon. Sulaiman Soladoye (Ward 14).
The leaders faulted the conduct and outcome of the congress, alleging that it undermined a previously agreed harmonised list of executives across the 14 wards in the local government. They said the list, which was collectively endorsed by stakeholders to promote unity, was unjustly overturned through what they described as the imposition of another list by certain individuals allegedly acting in connivance with external forces.
They stressed that the autonomy of the party at the grassroots must be respected and rejected any attempt by elected officials or individuals to impose executives on the structure of the party in the local government.
The petition also accused a member of the House of Representatives of actions capable of destabilising the party in the area.
The leaders alleged that the lawmaker had stifled party activities and statutory meetings in Lagelu for years, a development they said weakened cohesion within the party.
They further claimed to possess documentary evidence suggesting his prior political alignment with the state government and the opposition, adding that his actions were part of a broader attempt to undermine the party from within.
They therefore called for an immediate review of the outcome of the Lagelu Local Government congress, as well as the recognition and adoption of the harmonised list of local government executives approved by the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
They also urged strict implementation of the approved list for ward executives and called on the state leadership to issue a clear directive against the imposition of party executives by individuals, warning that continued disregard for due process could affect the party’s unity and electoral prospects.
Responding to the development, the Oyo APC Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Olawale Sadare, acknowledged that the party was aware of grievances in some local government areas and was making efforts to resolve them.
We are aware of grievances in some places. There are complaints and there are hitches, and the party is working around the clock to resolve the issues,” he said, urging aggrieved members to remain patient as the party’s internal mechanisms are being deployed to address the concerns.
Cc: Nigerian Tribune