Senatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the 2019 election, Barr. Bayo Lawal, has said that Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin, the party’s governorship candidate, betrayed ADC by not accepting the chairmanship of the Governor’s Advisory Council, set up by Governor Seyi Makinde.
Lawal, who is the chairman of the Oyo State Housing Corporation, was reacting to Lanlehin’s appeal to the people of Ondo State against any coalition with the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede.
OYOINSIGHT.COM understands that Lanlehin and two other governorship candidates formed a coalition with PDP’s Makinde to defeat Oloye Bayo Adelabu of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Lanlehin, who recently joined the APC, had, at different fora, reiterated that if he were as selfish as some ADC leaders, he would have accepted the offer by Makinde.
BARR. BAYO LAWAL WROTE
It’s important for me at this stage to correct some of the misgivings, misrepresentation of facts and outright falsehood that are being continuously put in the public domain in order to score very cheap political points unreservedly. This has to do with the issue of sharing arrangements in the coalition that brought about the success of PDP may Gov Seyi Makinde in the 9th of March 2019 governorship election in Oyo State.
I need to refresh our minds at this stage that before that particular election, series of meetings, the details of which I would not recount, were held with a singular purpose of dislodging APC from Oyo State. God Almighty in His infinite Mercy granted our supplications.
I was privileged to attend most of the meetings by virtue of being the Oyo North Senatorial candidate of ADC.Senator Sunmonu was also part of the arrangement.Of course Senator Lanlehin according to our projection, especially after the National Assembly election became the face of ADC,and the hub around which all coalition negotiation revolved.
He chose ADC negotiators. They prepared template and parties to the arrangement apparently were satisfied. But before we went to the governorship election, some of our ADC members went back to APC without notice whatsoever.
I recall that Senator Soji Akanbi and his people were not part of the coalition. Ditto some others from Ibadan and Oke Ogun.
It was a painful experience for me, because National Assembly election held on the 23rd Feb, and by the Monday following these fellows were in Asiwaju Tinubu’s house clapping and singing APC.On their arrival at Ibadan, they landed at Chief Bayo Adelabu’s house declaring full support for the candidate of APC.
Now after the election and assumption of office by Governor Makinde, agitation for implementation of the agreement resumed.It is gratifying that of the number of commissioners appointed, 3 came straight from ADC in fulfilment of the agreement. With board appointment,ADC had State Assembly Service Commission, SSA Local Govt., My humble self in Oyo State housing Corporation as the Chairman, Senator Sunmonu as member of State Advisory committee among many others.
At the LOCAL Govt level, some of our ADC members were appointed to my knowledge. For example Oorelope LG chairman was ADC.
There are others that I cannot remember now. The crux of my message is to disabuse those who could probably fall victim of deceit and political shenanigans. ADC members were already appointed and for those who did not follow Sen Lanlehin to APC, hope and chances are still very much available. At this juncture. I will further refresh and inform that at a meeting in Chief Koleosho early in the year, the issue of implementation of coalition agreement was discussed.
In attendance were HE, Senator Agboola, Chief Ilaka, Chief Bayo Lawal, Baba Adebanjo,Baba Layi Lakojo, Senator Sunmonu Baba Isamotu Ashiru, now of blessed memory and my humble self. At that meeting, it transpired that Makinde offered the position of Chairman Advisory committee to Sen Lanlehin, which he rejected. That was unknown to many of us. Sen Lanlehin did not controvert the assertion. Rejection of an offer of that nature was a disservice to ADC. That is a position he could use to influence many more appointments. That is a position which could bring him closer to this government. At the end of the meeting at Chief Koleosho’s house, Baba Adebanjo pleaded with us for patience and it was even long after that my appointment and others came.
However, soon after that particular meeting, Sen Lanlehin announced his withdrawal from coalition arrangements. I respect and honour Sen Lanlehin but occasionally we disagree on approach to political issues. As of today, how many appointments can he influence for ADC members in APC government. Sen Lanlehin is a notable indegene of Oyo State. In spite of all, I don’t expect the kind of remarks he made concerning Makinde on information on guber election.
