Oyo state APC is in a bind. The ongoing membership registration and revalidation exercise across the state has revealed deep division and catalysmal desperation within the party’s ranks and files. This lingering tension, simmering discord and internal wrangling are anathema to the party struggling for survival after 2019 electoral tsunami. Left uncheck, the outcome of this dangerous, tumultuous and ego war may better be imagine. Against what APC apologists may want to force down our throats, all is not well with the party and it is clear for all to see.
When former Governor Abiola Ajimobi was pronounced dead after battling COVID’19 complications last year, there was widespread optimism within the party’s various factions and camps. That optimism was premised on the divisive role played by the late Governor whose lickspittle faction, SENACO held sway in the both appointive and elective positions. The party’s inability to put its house in order was however the last straw that broke the Carmel’s back. The party vacated Agodi house for opposition PDP. While Ajimobi’s death should have help propelled APC’s rebirth and renewal; events such as the party’s leadership tussles, and reported case of alleged plan to hijack membership registration and revalidation forms by some party bigwigs have pointed contrarily.
In its Feb 4 publication, Sahara Reporters, reported that “Party sources revealed that Senator Teslim Folarin and Senator Fatai Buhari, who are both ranking members in the National Assembly on Wednesday (Feb, 3) approached the national revalidation/registration membership committee sent to the state at a highbrow hotel in Jericho area of Ibadan for allocation forms…” With this new twist which is yet to be refuted, the party may be sitting on the keg of gun powder.
For APC, it has always been leadership problem. Who will lead the party to the promise Land has always been the party’s nightmare. While the party Constitution favors former Governor Adebayo Alao Akala being the only party member to have served as Chief Executive officer of a state; his loyalty notwithstanding to the party he dumped on the eve of last election calls for introspection. Though, many opined that, Akala’s decision hanged more on staying relevant as a second term seeker than what his critics might want to admit, but still, a leader of his caliber is expected to demonstrate unflinching loyalty to the party course. Without this bold step, his leadership is unlikely to unite the warring factions into a single, and formidable party that will dislodge PDP come 2023.
Beyond that, APC opposition politics is not mordant enough. The incessant security crisis rocking the state should have helped the party gain more ground and win more souls but for the party’s bland statement, that has not happened. This will be done through constant press release that will assure people of their safety as it was in the past. While farmers herders rip apart some part of the state with reckless abandon, Governor Makinde’s regime seems helpless, and a timely intervention by the APC, being the leading opposition party would have helped bolster its chances.
OYO101, Muftau Gbadegesin’s opinion on issues affecting Oyo State, is published on Saturdays. He can be reached via muftaugbadegesin@gmail.com and 09065176850.
