In a bid to address the grievances of 12 aggrieved gubernatorial aspirants of the party, the national chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Chief Ralphs Nwosu, has met held meetings with them and some concerned stakeholders within its folds in Oyo State.
The aspirants had taken party and other major stakeholders to court following what they described as imposition of Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin as the party’s gubernatorial candidate.
OYO INSIGHT had yesterday how the 12 other aspirants said the only way to peace is by allowing them to choose a consensus gubernatorial candidate among themselves.
At Wednesday’s reconciliation meeting, which had 10 of the governorship candidates in attendance, the Nwosu assured the aspirants that they were critical stakeholders in the mission to take over the Oyo Government House.
Three of the aspirants were unavoidably absent, having travelled outside the state.
Nwosu was accompanied by the National Publicity Secretary of ADC, Mrs. Yemi Kolapo, Zonal Chairman, South West, Dr. Dele Ajadi, and key moments of the Oyo State Working Committee. The State Chairman Alhaji Dr. Ahmed A. Ayinla, Deputy State Chairman Rev. Adeniran and Comrade Adedapo Ademola, the state publicity secretary were also in attendance.
He reiterated the commitment of the party to building a model sustainable political party and enjoined the guber aspirants to let peace reign and forgive whatever might have been seen as omission on the part of the party.
He, however, thanked them for their unflinching loyalty to ADC, which he said had been credibly demonstrated through the shared ideas and their conviction that ADC will win the 2019 election in Oyo State.
The aspirants, on their part, assured the NWC that ADC was the party to beat in Oyo State, reiterating that they would work together in support of the party to ensure ADC wins the next elections.
They called on the party leaders, especially the NWC to empower the State Working Committee and address the concerns of aggrieved members.
They said that as much as they welcome the role of elders in the party, it might be counter-productive if such elders usurp the functions of the state exco.
They pledged, as loyal party men, to withdraw any court case that any of the aspirants or they as a group might have instituted once their concerns were well addressed.
This is just as Nwosu requested the “community of erudite and tested leaders” to use their wealth of experiences and wisdom to guide the state exco to ensure effective leadership and organisation.
He also assured them that irrespective of the final decision, there would certainly be major roles for each and every one of them for the good governance of Oyo State and Nigeria.
