Politics

The defection of Engineer Joseph Tegbe, Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyo State from the party to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been described as a clarion call for the leadership of the party to quickly intervene in the crisis in the State chapter of APC in order to avoid the further exit of other prominent members.

The call was made by Bolaji Tunji, former Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy to late Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

Tunji who is aspiring to contest for the House of Representatives seat on the platform of APC in Ogbomoso North, South and Oriire Federal constituency said the defection of Engineer Tegbe has shown that if nothing was done, the APC would witness the further exit of disgruntled party members. 

“Clearly, if nothing is done quickly, the Oyo APC would clearly see a further exit from the party. Many are dissatisfied with the present scenario, believing that the national leadership, especially the previous Caretaker executive was complicit in the crisis in Oyo APC and the crisis in other State chapters of the party”.

While advising the newly inaugurated National executive to quickly intervene to resolve the crisis, he enjoined all the different groups in the State APC to be ready to shift grounds to accommodate each other.

“Inability to resolve this problem will keep the APC in continued opposition in Oyo State. It will also further weaken the party as others may decide to pitch their camps elsewhere. It is thus important to quickly find a solution to the present crisis.”

Speaking further, the Reps hopeful said due to the crisis in the State chapter, the APC has been unable to play its role as the opposition party expected to curb the excesses of the State government that has continued to mortgage the future of the State through excessive loans.

“Today, Oyo State is unable to secure its citizens, armed robbery incidents in every part of the State are a daily occurrence, roads are in State of disrepair, refuse on street medians, reversing the trend of the previous administration’ s robust solid waste disposal system. The much-acclaimed street lights provide more darkness than light as it has stopped working in most of the streets. Unfortunately, APC should keep the government on its toes is bedevilled by its own self-made crisis”. Efforts must be made to quickly resolve all the issues causing the present problem in the State chapter of the party”, he said.

Oluwakayode Banjo

News

– Request for authentic delegates list 

– Claim sitting Senator, ex-Governor behind the manipulated list. 

A group of chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State has called for a new date for the party’s state congress.

The group made the call in Ibadan at a news conference on their positions regarding Saturday’s congress of the party.

The leader of the group, Senator Ayo Adeseun said the delegates’ list for the planned congress has been totally manipulated.

He explained that for the congress to hold, the national body of the party must produce the authentic delegates’ list for the exercise.

Senator Adeseun claimed a sitting senator and former Governor of Oyo State were behind the doctored list claiming the national leadership of the APC must ensure that the consensus list which is still in possession of the current leadership of APC in the state is considered for the election.

The party chieftains at the news conference include Minister for Youths and Sports, Chief Sunday Dare, Governorship candidate of the party in 2019, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Professor Adeolu Akande and Barrister Sarafadeen Aĺi.

Others are Mogaji Joseph Tegbe, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, Hon. Tolu Sadipe and Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle.

Meanwhile, scores of the party’s chieftains are still at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke-Ado, the venue of the planned State Congress. 

The main bowl of the stadium is under lock while party members were restricted to open field in the place. 

The party loyalists in different attires were seen singing various solidarity songs in support of their aspirants.      

Banners with inscriptions of aspirants contesting for various positions were seen all over the premises of the stadium while heavy security presence was on the ground.

Lilian Ibomor/Ridwan Fasasi