Some groups within the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State have expressed their dissatisfaction with the committee set up by 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 on Wednesday to deliberate on the purported constitution of a zoning committee by Governor Akala and his controversial Elders Advisory Committee.
In a communique signed by representatives of the groups and released by Alhaji Abu Gbadamosi who presided over the meeting,it was resolved that:
i. The constitution of the committee on zoning by the so-called Advisory committee is alien to the constitution and practice of the APC.
ii. The so-called Advisory Elders Advisory Committee is itself illegal because 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.
iii. The constitution of the zoningcommittee was undertaken without due consultation with critical stakeholders in the party.
iv. 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 onthe party.
v. We implore leaders in the party to live up to the expectations of the exalted positions they are holding in the party and government.
vi. . We restate our loyalty and commitment to the party under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The signatories to the communique are:
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
Elders’ Council
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
(ALGON)
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