The Unity Forum Group of the Oyo state chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has responded to allegations in a release signed by the Party secretary, Alhaji Wasiu Emiola and the Publicity secretary, Barr Bimpe Adelowo.
In release signed by Acting State Chairman, Rev Adeniran and State organizing secretary, Olusola Oluokun, the group expressed confidence in Chief Micheal Koleoso, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu and other leaders of the party.
Insideoyo.com recalls that the Party secretary and the Publicity secretary in a release had earlier warned members of the Unity Forum to stop anti party activities over purported communique issued recently. They also warned Governor Seyi Makinde to be careful of political jobbers who are hailing him to get appointments for their own selfish-interest.
Meanwhile, responding to the allegations, Unity Forum, a breakaway faction of the All Progressives Congress, APC who alongside other groups formed the ADC in the build up to the 2019 General election while recalling how the secretary, Alhaji Wasiu Emiola testifid against Governor Seyi Makinde in court stated that he has been known for controversy since time immemorial.
The group also alleged that the Publicity secretary, Barr Adelowo was elected as Assistant secretary and not Publicity secretary.
The release read in part “Our attention was drawn to a press release purportedly issued by the ADC and signed by the duo of Mr. Wasiu Emiola as party secretary and Barr. Bimpe Adelowo as the Publicity secretary. We would not have descended to issue a rejoinder but for discerning minds who are truly interested in the growth and advancement of our progressive aspirations as a political party.
“To start with, Mr. Wasiu Emiola’s controversial status does not start today, his troublesome personality as a stickler to rule in his failed bid to emerge as the Secretary of the Oyo state PDP led to the exodus of many followers of Pa Rasheed Ladoja from the PDP and his desperate bid to set everyone in ADC on the path of perfidy after testifying against Governor Makinde in the ill fated case filed by Sen. Ayoade Adeseun against the primary election that returned Governor Makinde makes him overwhelmed to make every other person sinks with him. Hence, his running from pillar to post approbating and reprobatting at the same time without having the consent of leadership of the party.
“Barr. Bimpe Adelowo is never known to be the Publicity secretary of the ADC; he was elected as the Assistant Secretary of the party and that remains so up till now. We understand his situation, he was the CNM nominee for commissionership under the Gov. Makinde’s administration and since the Governor has the final say on whom he wishes to work with, he becomes disgruntled ever since and would not relent until the ship of ADC sinks with him. We remain resolute and insist that this ignominious aim of his will not come into reality.”
The group also cleared the air on the meeting which was regarded as purpoted meeting by Emiola and Adelowo, stating that the meeting was attended by representatives of all groups that formed the ADC. It also added that the ADC is not for sale and the focus of the ADC now is to ensure the success of the coalition government led by Governor Seyi Makinde.
“The enlarged meeting of the ADC held on 29 October 2019 and which was attended by notable leaders of the party across the major blocs of the party such as Chief Michael Koleoso from the LP, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, from the Unity Forum, Pa Oluokun from the CNM, Barr. Bayo Lawal from the Accord and Reverend Adeniran, the state chairman of the party from the old ADC represents all the interests in the ADC and it was not a unity Forum meeting as erroneously claimed by Mr. Wasiu Emiola and Barr. Bimpe Adelowo.
“The party under the leadership of our referred leaders and the state chairman reinstates without any equivocation that the ADC is not for sale to any gubernatorial candidate being groomed by the duo of Wasiu Emiola and Bimpe Adelowo for the 2023 general elections. Our focus, for now, is to ensure the success of the coalition government under Governor Makinde and work with him to ensure that Oyo state is set on the path of success and prosperity.
“The ADC remains its independent status under the coalition government. It would be too early to commence political shenanigans being orchestrated by Mr. Emiola Wasiu and Barr. Bimpe Adelowo when all hands are on deck to ease political tensions so that the people of Oyo state would benefit from the many transformation programmes of the state government.
“We are not interested in saying more on the antecedents of Mr. Wasiu Emiola and Barr Bimpe Adelowo than to urge the people of Oyo state to keep them under watch as they are not the mouthpieces of Oyo state ADC. Any meeting purportedly held by the duo without the party acting state chairman remains inconsistent with the provision of our party’s constitution and same is null and void and does not represent the ADC.
“We reiterate our confidence in our leaders including Chief Michael Koleoso, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, Elder E.O. Oluokun and Chief Bayo Lawal who have always been in the vanguard of smooth running, counselling and advancement of the ADC under the coalition government of Engr Seyi Makinde.” the statement added.
