Newly elected chairman of Itesiwaju local government, Hon. Niyi Adeagbo, has said that members of the Unity Forum of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State are taking things too far.
According to Adeagbo, Ajimobi is not in a battle with anybody, adding that there was no faction in the state chapter of the party.
InsightOyo has been reporting the factional war within the party, especially the one between the governor’s SENACO faction and the aggrieved party members under the aegis of Unity Forum.
Asked if he belongs to the either of the group, Adeagbo explained that “I belong to APC and not either of the groups you mentioned. However, I must inform you that Senator Ajimobi Campaign Organization (SENACO) was setup in 2007 for the purpose of gubernatorial elections and the group has been disbanded by Governor Ajimobi. So, what we have now is APC; SENACO and LAMIST groups are no more in existence. Mr. Governor did say it that there is no caucus or groups in Oyo APC; he treats every member or legacy parties that formed APC equally.
“There are few aggrieved party members that called themselves unity forum within the party. But honestly speaking, I cannot specifically pinpoint what they are fighting over. Is it their 2019 individuals’ ambitions? Is it to gain the control of party structures? Is it because some of them are relieved of their political appointments by Governor Ajimobi? Expression of one’s displeasures is normal in a democracy but such right must not be damaging. The members of unity forum are taking things too far.
“I am not saying the party members should not complain or express their grievances but they should channel it through the appropriate authorities for amicable resolutions. In every assembly, even in a family, there is bound to be disagreements. And for every crisis or problem, there is solution. Governor Ajimobi is the leader of the party and for any sincere loyal member, he must be respected at all times; that for me is a progressive ideal. I was one of those that didn’t get my preferred appointment in the first term and I remain committed and loyal to the party and the leadership. A father is a father any day no matter what.”
Speaking on the parallel congress, Adeagbo noted that “the position of the National Working Committee of APC has been made known about parallel congresses. It says there is no such thing as parallel congress. The only congress recognised by the party is that conducted in accordance with the party constitution, which was organised by the congress committee charged by the party to organise such congresses. So the self-conducted parallel congresses outside this are an exercise in futility.
“Governor Abiola Ajimobi is a father and leader of the party in the state. He is neither in competition nor in a war with any group. I must commend the governor for his maturity and patriotism in the face of this crisis. Most members of unity forum have served under administration of Governor Ajimobi; so resolving the crisis is not difficult.
“While we await amicable resolutions, I enjoin the few aggrieved party members to shun divisive tendencies in order for us to forge ahead as one indivisible party; collectivism is our strength in winning elections,” he added.
