The Alliance for Democracy in Oyo state is having internal crisis as two caretaker committees have emerged within the party, threatening its unity in the state.
This development is in spite of a case pending before a court to contest the inauguration of a second caretaker committee by the National Secretariat of the party.
The inauguration has been challenged in a competent court of law on the ground that it interferes in the affairs of the party in Oyo state and the matter is pending hearing.
This development, according to Sunday Tribune, has been condemned by the state party leaders who insisted that the formation of a caretaker committee is alien to the party’s constitution and would be resisted through all known legal means.
The party in the pending lawsuit to determine the legality or otherwise of a state caretaker committee also expressed dismay at the decision of some members of the national leadership of the party to have resorted to self-help and undermined the case that is presently before a court, expressing disappointment and embarrassment at the development.
The Oyo state chairman of the party, chief Olusegun Akinropo, on Sunday, while reacting to the situation, warned party members to beware of the activities of those he described as the embattled caretaker committee, adding that no caretaker committee can
conduct any party primaries in the state.
According to him, “every effort to cut corners and to short-circuit the party constitution will finally and woefully fail. It has become important at this time for me to make this statement, in order to educate, guide and warn our teeming, honest, innocent and loyal party members in Oyo State about the true state of affair in the party.
“About April 2018, a caretaker committee was set up by some persons, in order to illegally replace the legitimate, performing
Executive Committee of Oyo, Ogun, Osun States.
“This action was challenged in the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/424/2018 AD, by the Chairmen of the affected States. In the suit, the Caretaker Committee, and their sponsors are represented by Messrs. Sayo Odumosu & Co., Legal Practitioner, while the Chairman of Oyo, Ogun, Osun are represented by John Sola Bayeshea (SAN) & Co. and INEC National Office represented by Iorshe Wilson Esq. of Noble Crest Solicitors.
“This case will be heard and decided shortly since the Federal High Court that has been on holiday is now open, and ready to hear the case. In that case, it will be decided if AD Constitution recognizes any “caretaker” arrangement, and therefore if the caretaker committee in Oyo State and operating from Inaolaji Shopping Complex is legal or illegal.
“I wish to advise all aspirants to any and all political offices in the next general elections to submit their letter of intent and other forms, signed by their ward Local Government Chairman to the National Secretariat of the Party through the State Office of AD, in Yemetu, Ibadan latest by Tuesday, September 25, 2018.
“I warn members and aspirants not to pay their fees to any caretaker committee that operates without any account in any bank. Banks are law-abiding, and will never open an account for any “Caretaker Committee”, that has no mention in AD Constitution, please. The State Secretariat has a bank account with Wema Bank Plc, in Ibadan, into which all financial transactions of the party are made, and which is subject of audit by INEC and our Auditors.
“The only way AD can earn the respect and confidence of members is to operate within its own constitution and all extant laws and the Constitution of Nigeria, and not through process fraud and impunity. This is the only way AD can be truly different from many others in the political space of Nigeria,” he stated.
