Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Itesiwaju Local Government Area, in Oyo State, have kicked against the alleged imposition of a candidate as the APC Chairman in the local government area.
Itesiwaju is one of the ten local government areas in Oke Ogun geopolitical zone of Oyo State.
The APC members under the auspices of Concerned Itesiwaju for Good Governance (CIGG) on Tuesday alleged that one of the governorship aspirants of APC, Professor Adeolu Akande has concluded plans to impose Mr. Osuolale Awoleye as APC Chairman in the Local Government Area.
The main opposition in Oyo state held its congresses last Saturday and the local government congresses of the party are expected to take place in the next few week.
But CIGG in a statement on Tuesday said that Akande has concluded plans to impose his preferred candidate, Osuolale Awoleye.
The group alleged that that was the reason Akande is insisting on consensus arrangements.
CIGG said Akande handpicked Awoleye from his ward.
CIGG in the statement issued by its Chairman, Hon. Philip Adedokun and the Secretary, Tijani Adelani respectively, said “Concerned Itesiwaju for Good Governance (CIGG) has kicked against the imposition of APC party chairman in the coming Local Government congress.
“We condemn in a strong term the move by a governorship aspirant in the 2023 general election, Prof Adeolu Akande to handpick his kinsman from his immediate ward who is currently occupying the Local Government party chairmanship position to continue for the second term, which is against the rotational arrangement and spirit of equity, fairness and justice.
“We observed that between 2011 and 2019, only one out of 7 towns that made up Itesiwaju Local Government has been holding both political and elective positions.
“This includes, Chief of Staff to late governor Abiola Ajimobi in the person of Prof Adeolu Akande who is also currently the chairman of the NCC, Commissioner for land and Housing; Mr Ajiboye Omodewu, LG executive chairman, Hon Adeniyi Adeagbo, Local Government Education Secretary, Mr Adesina and party chairman; Mr Osuolale Awoleye who wanted to return as chairman.
“We are, therefore, warning against any arrangement that could rock the party’s boat come 2023 to be avoided.”
But Akande in his reaction said that he does not even know the delegates that will elect the Chairman of the party in the local government area.
Akande who doubled as Chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) noted that the party Chairman would be elected at the local government congress.
Akande who once served as Chief of Staff to the immediate past Governor, late Abiola Ajimobi advised the group to familiarize themselves with the constitution and guidelines of the party.
“According to the APC Constitution and guidelines, the party Chairman at the council level will be elected at the local council congress.
“The delegates to that congress will be determined by the outcome of the ward congress which held last Saturday.
“We don’t even know who the delegates to the local congress are yet. I can only advise the sponsors of the story to familiarize themselves with the constitution and guidelines of the APC.”
