A group within the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State. The United Front, TUF, has berated Adeolu Akande, chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, for saying that his kinsman, Ajiboye Omodewu, cannot lead the party.
Akande, OYOINSIGHT.COM understands, had on Monday, declared that the purported inauguration of Omodewu as state chairman of Oyo APC by Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, CECPC, won’t stand.
According to the political scientist and lecturer, “This development is a temporary distraction. It will pass. We are students of history and no attempt to impose the minority over the majority has ever worked or been sustained. This instance will not be different”.
Reacting to the statement credited to the NCC boss, TUF, in a statement signed by its coordinator, Bello Razaq, said the lecturer turned politician goofed with the statement, describing his declaration as “disappointing, unsubstantiated and unnecessary”.
According to him, Omodewu is one of the few consistently consistent party men to lead the progressives party in Oyo State.
“It’s laughable to read from Prof. Adeolu that minority APC members elected Omodewu-led executives. I’m curious to ask him to tell the public the formula he used to arrive at “minority” and “majority” in this context. Let’s start from Itesiwaju LGA where Adeolu comes from; Omodewu has been in charge of the party structure for more than 10 years. Even as Chief of Staff to late former governor Ajimobi, Adeolu did not have a single ward executive in his council area, not to talk of Oke-Ogun Zone. Omodewu did not only control the party structure but also install council chairman, vice chairman, councillors and other political appointees in the council area. Who is now minority between Adeolu and Omodewu?” he asked.
He said Omodewu emerged as Oyo State APC chairman with the maximum supports of core disciples of late former governors Lam Adesina, Abiola Ajimobi and Alao-Akala.
“Even majority of former and serving APC lawmakers at state and national levels are backing him. All former commissioners and majority of political appointees during the administration of late former governors Lam Adesina and Ajimobi are backing him. Omodewu is popular among the party members across the 33 LGAs of Oyo State.
“Having served as commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters as well as honourable commissioner for Lands and Housing under late governor Ajimobi, Omodewu has educational, political and administrative credentials to lead Oyo APC to victories in 2023.
“Omodewu merits the position not only as a core progressive but his philanthropic support for party members over the years. Another reason Omodewu enjoys the support of majority critical stakeholders and teeming members is because he has no price tag; no moneybag politician can buy his conscience.
“Omodewu has always distinguished himself from others as an upright and accessible party leaders. He is an experienced public administrator”.
Bello noted that Akande failed to substantiate why he said Omodewu cannot lead our party.
According to Bello, Omodewu has never left progressive party since 1979, therefore he is highly qualified to paddle the affairs of Oyo APC for the next four years.
Unlike Omodewu, Bello said members of the Oyo APC knew those who worked against APC’s Adebayo Adelabu to pave way for Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He said they are aware of plan by such individuals to do same in the coming elections. “And that is why they are hellbent on destroying the party, to weaken it. Makinde would have absorbed them in his government but they were asking for too much. They are prodigal sons in the APC. They should forget it. No amount of blackmail will weaken us. We are ready. We know their antics and we won’t hesitate to petition the Presidency and the National Secretariat of the party against the history of anti-party activities of some people.”
He concluded his statement by advising the university don to eschew politics of bitterness or consequential actions would be taken against him.
