Stakeholders in the Oyo State Chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), at a well attended meeting on Friday, at the Ibadan residence of its leader, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin (SOLAN), have maintained that notwithstanding the setback suffered in the just concluded 2019 polls, the party remains a strong and vibrant brand, desirous of contributing its quota to the development of Oyo State.
The stakeholders meeting which had in attendance two former deputy governors, Engr Hammed Gbadamosi and Amb Taofeek Arapaja, also included incumbent Oyo Central Senator, Monsurat Sunmonu, Chief Bayo Lawal, ADC Oyo North Senatorial candidate, as well as Dr Dele Ajadi, National Vice Chairman (Southwest).
Members of the state executive were led by the newly appointed State Acting Chairman, Rev Ezekiel Adeniran and the State Secretary, Alh Wasiu Emiola.
Also present was Oyo State Deputy Speaker, Hon Musah Abdulwasi, Hon Taiwo Michael Akintola, Member representing Egbeda/Ona Ara Federal Constituency, Hon Olusumbo Olugbemi, Member representing Oluyole Federal Constituency, as well as serving members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, which included Hon Olusegun Olaleye, Hon Fatai Adesina, Hon Bolaji Badmus and Hon Gbenga Oyekola.
Other notable personalities in attendance were Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, Hon Gbenga Adewusi, Hon Ladi Oluokun, Hon Lanre Agoro, Arch Basiru Lawal and Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe.
Party leaders from the three senatorial districts which included Chief Laide Lanihun (Oyo South), Baba Siju Salami (Oyo Central) and Baba Ajibade (Oyo North) were also present.
Leading discussions at the meeting, Lanlehin went down memory lane to recall circumstances which birthed the ADC in Oyo State, and the many challenges the party had to go through, before participating in the just concluded 2019 General Elections.
Believing the party had turned the corner, Lanlehin added, the Oyo ADC went into the elections confident of success. “Before the first election, we were confident of returning not less than 2 senators and 9 reps, as our party was widely accepted. Unfortunately, that was not to be.”
“In our bid to stop the tyrannical rule of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and to forestall suffering the same fate opposition parties suffered in 2015, where Governor Abiola Ajimobi was returned by just 32% of votes cast, we agreed to be part of a coalition arrangement with other like minded political parties. Thankfully too, that coalition was hugely successful, as it birthed Engr Seyi Makinde’s government,” Lanlehin explained.
Commending the governor-elect for being a gentleman who has shown fidelity to agreements reached thus far, Lanlehin prayed that he performs well in the discharge of his gubernatorial duties to the people of Oyo State.
In their separate remarks, Senator Sunmonu appreciated Lanlehin for being a true leader, one whose openness and accountability deserves commendation.
“I’m a fearless person, one who stands by the truth at all times, and I can say with all sincerity that Senator Lanlehin has done well,” Sunmonu declared.
“There are five tendencies in ADC, and though we didn’t bond well as a party because of the issues with those tendencies, it is now inevitable that we have to, to forge ahead. To that end, meetings like this should be regular, particularly to update each other on happenings in our various councils,” she concluded.
Chief Bayo Lawal, ADC Oyo North Senatorial candidate lauded the timeliness of the meeting, as well as appreciated Senator Lanlehin, members of the state executive and leaders of the party from Oyo North Senatorial district.
Charging Lanlehin to continue to be open in the discharge of his functions as state party leader, Chief Lawal advised that Lanlehin runs an inclusive leadership; always carrying along party leaders in decision making.
Speaker after speaker, which included Amb Arapaja, Dr Olatubosun, Hon Akintola, Hon Adesina, and many others, harped on the need for the party to remain one united, indivisible entity, maintaining that irrespective of the initial setback, the party still has a bright future in the state’s politics.
Dr Ajadi, Vice Chairman (Southwest) in his contribution, lauded the political wisdom of the Oyo ADC, especially for participating in the coalition, calling on members, irrespective of the tendencies they belong to, to remain united, as according to him, “brighter days lie ahead.”
The consensus of opinion at the meeting, was that despite its participation in the historic coalition that brought in Engr Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and its readiness to provide unflinching support for him in transforming Oyo State, the ADC remains a distinct, strong, and vibrant entity, whose members have been charged to keep the party alive through regular meetings and consultations.
