Stakeholders in the Oyo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the five local government areas in Ibadan City have been urged to accommodate all interests and all shades of opinion in the interest of the party’s overall success. This, according to speakers at an interactive session held at the party’s Secretariat at Oke-Ado, Ibadan, was the only way to guarantee inclusiveness, solidarity and oneness which without doubt will lead to victory in the coming polls.
The session, at the instance of the Senator Olufemi Lanlehin-led Oyo State APC Reconciliation Committee had in attendance leaders, members and aspirants from Ibadan North, Ibadan Northeast, Ibadan Northwest, Ibadan Southeast and Ibadan Southwest local government areas, who took turn to address the session; stating their grievances and providing meaningful suggestions to help the party.
Some House of Assembly aspirants in attendance who spoke at length included Mogaji Wasiu Akere, Ibadan Southwest I, Hon. Adeniyi Adeoti, Ibadan Southwest II, Hon. Lukman Akanji from Ibadan Southeast II, Hon. Taiwo Hammed Eshinlokun, Ibadan North I, as well as Hon. Gbadebo Obisesan, Ibadan Northeast I.
Alh. Kazeem Lawal (Duro’re), Ibadan Northeast Constituency II and Hon. Femi Adelowo, Ibadan North Constituency II, who both aspired to represent their respective constituencies reminded the party of the need to maintain equity, justice and fairness in its dealings, as that was the only way its progressivism can be established, a call echoed by Chief (Mrs.) Olubunmi Bankole, a stalwart of the party from Ibadan Northeast Local Government.
On the need for a holistic review of the party structure with a view to accommodating every tendency within the party to demonstrate its readiness for inclusive politics, Hon. Gbenga Elemide from Ibadan Southeast, Chief S.A. Adeleke from Ibadan Northwest, Alhaja Alimat Olajide and Hon. Alade Yakub from Ibadan Northeast, all harped on the need for the Committee to reach out to all stakeholders in the party, in a bid to boost the party’s chances.
Alh. B.A.O. Oladeji, a leader from Ibadan North, while speaking, called on members to work conscientiously for the success of the party, charging the Reconciliation Committee to note that its assignment will always be ongoing, and not one-off, hence there may be need to even create a smaller committee to handle spin-offs.
The consensus of opinion at the session, remained an expansion in the party structure where possible, and a total overhaul in others, according to the peculiarities in each local government.
Leaders from the five local government areas which constitute Ibadan City present at the meeting included Alhaja Tairat Adeyemi, Hon. Ademola Omotoso, Alh. Akeeb Animashaun, Baba Salawu Olowo Adekile, Prince Gbade Lana, Hon. Rasaq Ekundayo, Hon. Kola Adigun, Madam Bunmi Adedeji, Hon. Kehinde Oloya, Alh. Azeez Asimolowo and Alh. Akin Olajide, former Secretary to the Oyo State Government.
Others were Apostle Dada, Alh. Isiaka Agboola, Alh. Obileye, Hon. Segun Adeleke, Pa Adeniyi, Baba Saba, Pa Isaac, Prince Afolabi, Hon. Tunde Williams, Alh. Mufutau Adisa, Mr. Bayo Adeyemo, Hon. Tajudeen Asanike, Engr. Adeyoju, Baba Ghandi and many other party stalwarts.
On the Reconciliation Committee were the Committee’s Secretary who also doubles as the party’s State Secretary, Alh. Tajudeen Olanite, Engr. Dayo Lawal, Baba E.O. Olaoye, Alh. Akin Akande, Chief Kehinde Balogun, Pastor Wale Adepoju, Chief (Mrs.) Funke Olayanju, Dr. (Mrs.) Adepeju Esan, Comrade Ibrahim Bolomope, Hon. Abass Akande and Hon. Wahab Oguntayo. Pastor Akin Oke, Pa Suara Ogunyemi, Alh. Ayinla Kakako, Hon. Gaphar Ojetola, Alh. Bukola Badmus, Chief Sunday Ajadi Abeebo and Hon. Afeez Bolaji Repete were also in attendance.
Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, the Committee Chairman, in his closing remarks lauded attendees for their patience and the vigour with which they contributed to the interaction, calling on them not to relent in their efforts to enthrone the APC in the governance of the state as well as its retainment of the federal seat. He equally reminded them that an important part of the work for the materialization of that success is on the election day, hence the undoubted need for members to accommodate one another, in a spirit of give and take.
“Since our governorship candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin has shown commitment and readiness to listen to advice and implement recommendations, our Committee promises stakeholders, especially those aggrieved, fairness, justice and equity,” he reiterated.
