By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
A political group, The United Front, (TUF) on Tuesday,
TUF in a statement in Ibadan, signed by its coordinator, Bello Razaq, frowned at a statement credited to the Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC), Professor Adeolu Akande that Hon Ajiboye Omodewu, cannot lead APC in Oyo State.
According to the TUF coordinator, Professor Akande failed to substantiate why he said Omodewu cannot lead our party
Describing Professor Akande statement as “disappointing, unsubstantiated and unnecessary”, the group added ” Omodewu is one of the few consistently consistent party men to lead the progressives party in Oyo State.”
“It’s laughable to read from Prof. Adeolu that minority APC members elected Omodewu-led executives. I’m curious to ask him to tell the public the formula he used to arrive at “minority” and “majority” in this context”, it said.
The group added, ” let’s start from Itesiwaju LGA where Adeolu comes from; Omodewu has been in charge of the party structure for more than 10 years. Even as Chief of Staff to late former governor Ajimobi, Adeolu did not have a single ward executive in his council area, not to talk of Oke-Ogun Zone”.
” Omodewu did not only control the party structure but also install council chairman, vice chairman, councillors and other political appointees in the council area. Who is now minority between Adeolu and Omodewu?” .
TUF stressed, Omodewu emerged as Oyo State APC chairman with the maximum supports of core disciples of late former governors Lam Adesina, Abiola Ajimobi and Alao-Akala.
“Even majority of former and serving APC lawmakers at state and national levels are backing him. All former commissioners and majority of political appointees during the administration of late former governors Lam Adesina and Ajimobi are backing him. Omodewu is popular among the party members across the 33 LGAs of Oyo State.
“Having served as commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters as well as honourable commissioner for Lands and Housing under late governor Ajimobi, Omodewu has educational, political and administrative credentials to lead Oyo APC to victories in 2023.
The group maintained that Hon Omodewu ” merits the position not only as a core progressive but his philanthropic support for party members over the years”, adding, ” another reason Omodewu enjoys the support of majority critical stakeholders and teeming members is because he has no price tag; no money bag politician can buy his conscience.’
“Omodewu has always distinguished himself from others as an upright and accessible party leaders. He is an experienced public administrator”.ENDS.
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According to Bello, Omodewu has never left progressive party since 1979, therefore he is highly qualified to paddle the affairs of Oyo APC for the next four years.
Unlike Omodewu, Bello said members of the Oyo APC knew who worked against APC’s Adebayo Adelabu to pave way for Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He said they are aware of plan by such individuals to do same in the coming elections. “And that is why they are hellbent in destroying the party, to weaken it. Makinde would have absorbed them in his government but they were asking for too much. They are prodigal sons in the APC. They should forget it. No amount of blackmail will weaken us. We are ready. We know their antics and we won’t hesitate to petition the Presidency and the National Secretariat of the party against the history of anti-party activities of some people.
He concluded his statement by advising the university don to eschew politics of bitterness or consequential actions would be taken against him.
