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The Untold Story Of Degeneration Of Osun APC Crisis By Aladelola Adisa

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APC

The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun might not have festered to date if fairness, unity and collective purpose wasn’t jettisoned by the current administration in the State, investigations have revealed.

Due to controversies surrounding the emergence and eventual assumption of office of Governor Oyetola, efforts were not spared to unite members of the APC political family in Osun.

Findings revealed that rather than the Governor and his loyalists strengthening and rejuvenating the party for the consolidation of progressive legacies in the state, it began an unprecedented politics of segregation and exclusivity against members of the party that brought him to power in 2018.

A source who is close to the two camps told journalists that party members who wanted to ensure that the crisis did not degenerate, at its earlier stage, formed The Osun Progressives (TOP), a caucus of the party in a bid to right the wrongs of the factional party chairman, Gboyega Famodun and by extension, the Governor’s camp.

A top party chieftain in the state who prayed not to be named because of the height of the crisis said Governor Oyetola’s strong position not to associate with anyone who believed in his predecessor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administration was the first in the series of strokes he used to further divide the party.

The party leader explained further: “Since the creation of Osun in August 27, 1991, Osun has been democratically governed with Osun West Senatorial District taking the first shot but ruling for just less than 24 months; Osun East Senatorial District ruling for eight years; Osun Central Senatorial District where Governor Oyetola hails from would have ruled for 15 and half years by the end of his tenure.

With three Governors: Chief Bisi Akande, four years; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, seven and half years; and Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola who would have spent four years at the end of his first term by 2022 being from the same Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency as Oyinlola.

“In 2018, the agitation for the Osun West Senatorial District to produce the next Governor was fierce and huge. It was so fierce that all party leaders, starting from the elders, Agba Osun caucus of APC, majority of the State Executive Council, and virtually all organs of the party were hell-bent on “WEST LOKAN AGENDA.

“In spite of this clamour, the then Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, was produced as the APC candidate for the State Gubernatorial Election.

“That decision alone fragmented the party such that a section of the party decamped to the ADP, costing APC at least 49,000 votes in the 2018 election. Eventually, the election was declared Inconclusive and a Rerun was ordered, with Alhaji Oyetola eventually winning with a slim margin.

“Although, many factors were responsible for the declaration of the election being Inconclusive, among which was the decamping of aggrieved section of APC members to the ADP – costing APC over 49,000 votes, the unpopularity of the APC candidate as well as the general clamour for OSUN WEST DISTRICT to field the next Governor were the driving factors for APC’s unusually slim victory in the 2018 guber elections”.

Speaking further, and digging deeper into the unpopularity of the candidate, the source posited, “If we compare the results of Alhaji Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola in his home local governments and that of his closest rival, the PDP candidate in his home local governments, we will discover the huge difference of 21,525 votes in favour of the PDP candidate. This is significant, considering the fact that, PDP could only lead APC after the first ballot by only 353 votes.

“Instead of considering the above factors as the main factors responsible for the declaration of the election Inconclusive, Governor Oyetola, from the inception of his administration embarked on a campaign of calumny and politics of division within the party. Under the Oyetola administration, whoever is perceived to be associated with or harbour any interest in the legacy of immediate past administration or commitment to his predecessor is alienated from the party and government regardless of their contribution to the success of the party.”

Another albatross, the APC chieftain remarked hanging on the neck of Oyetola and his IleriOluwa camp, was the reversal of the major policies of the Aregbesola administration spitefully. They noted that since the start of his administration, the Governor had publicly shown his disdain for the Minister which Ogbeni was aware of but kept mum in the spirit of party cohesion and political maturity.

“For example, when the Muslim Community in Osun was planning to honour Ogbeni with the title of WAZIRI’L MUMINEEN of the State of Osun, the Governor and his team bluntly showed disdain for the event. Despite the fact that Governor Oyetola was the one that picked the date for the programme, he directed that major functionaries of his government should not attend the programme, while also travelling out of the country himself. The only Local Government Chairman who took active role in the programme, Hon Akeem Olaoye, then Chairman of Osogbo South LCDA was suspended from office for six months. Till today, the unbridled castigation of APC Party stalwarts by members of Oyetola’s administration is the order the day.”

He said while all these were going on, some concerned members of the party approached the Governor to have a rethink about his actions and inactions against APC stalwarts including the former Governor, but the Governor did not yield.

The APC leader noted, “The issues were brought to the attention of Baba Bisi Akande, the former Governor of Osun, for resolutions, though this effort did not produce a decisive resolution. Thereafter, in December 2020, Asiwaju intervened at a meeting held at the Ila Orangun residence of Baba Bisi Akande, with Baba Akande, Governor Oyetola and Ogbeni in attendance where resolutions were agreed. However, the resolutions taken at that meeting were jettisoned and the leaders have not since then raised a finger.

“When there was no solution in sight, genuine party leaders who love the party and majority of people who suffered before we could restore the progressive party back to power in Osun 12 years ago, came together to form The Osun Progressives (TOP), in order to reorganize the party for future elections.

“Immediately The Osun Progressives (TOP) was formed, the Government started castigating leaders of the group and its members. Though this attack has continued unabated, however on a daily basis, members of TOP have kept increasing.

“Immediately the timetable for Ward Congress was released by the National Secretariat of the APC, the leadership of TOP announced to the whole world that they were ready for the Congress but the Governor’s group, said they were not ready for a Congress rather they settled for Consensus. While TOP went for real Congress, the Governor’s group went for a dubious ‘CONSENSUS’.

“The Governor used his position as a member of the Caretaker Extraordinary and Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the APC with the support of Senator Iyiola Omisore, to influence the Chairman of the Osun Convention Planning Committee, Hon. Elegbeleye to declare the Governor’s group consensus list as duly elected ward Executives; TOP then petitioned the National Secretariat in the form of an Appeal and eventually the Appeal Committee came, they were equally compromised by the Governor, using his influence as a member of CECPC. But one significant thing about the Appeal was during its sitting, known thugs from the Governor’s group came to disrupt the proceedings.

“However, seven leaders of TOP were arraigned before the Magistrate Court instead of arresting and prosecuting thugs. The case was eventually dismissed.

As the crisis continued, especially in relation to the party Congress, numerous party leaders have intervened without any clear resolution in sight.

“On January 8, 2022, the APC National Reconciliation Committee arrives Osun, met with Governor Oyetola’s APC factions, who urged the National Reconciliation Committee to disregard the petitions forwarded to it by TOP.”

While expressing optimism for an end in sight to the crisis, the party chieftain called for a genuine, equitable and fair reconciliation as the chieftain posited, “if with a united party in 2018, the current Governor barely won the election, how will the party perform with a divided house as we approach the coming Guber election”.

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Chief Abiola Ogundokun Visits President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu

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A Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress ((APC) in Nigeria and Obanla of lwoland, High Chief Abiola Ogundokun during the weekend had a meeting with President- Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his Abuja official residence.
Chief Ogundokun who is one of the most respected member of lgbinmo Agba
(Council of Elders) was at Tinubu residence alongside Governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, Speaker, House of Assembly, Femi Gbajabiamila and former Osun State Governor, Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola among others to welcome back the President-Elect and discuss pertinent national issues with him.

Earlier before the visit High Chief  Ogundokun, has hailed the victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President-Elect immediately after his February 25th, 2023 victory.  

It would recall that while congratulating the President-Elect in a congratulatory letter made available to newsmen after the victory , the Iwo high chief   described Tinubu as a political enigma whose political experience, sagacity and know-how is worth studying.  

He maintained that Asiwaju’s presidency will usher in an era of prosperity and unprecedented development for the country.  He added that the victory of the former governor in the keenly-contested election is a victory for the generality of Nigerians, particularly the common man.

The letter reads: ‘’Your Excellency, accept my warm congratulations on your victory. I extend my best wishes for your success as you prepare to take up the responsibilities and challenges of leading our beloved country into an era of prosperity and high hope.

“Your victory at the polls is no doubt a victory for all Nigerians. It is now very clear that you’re a man destined for this challenge of leading at this particular period.  

“The victory is reward for hard work and doggedness both of which you exemplify. While others busied themselves with frivolities, you strategized. You worked for this victory and you earned the reward.

Mr. President-Elect, once again I congratulate you. ’’ The elder statesman wrote.

Chief Ogundokun also urged Asiwaju to extend an olive branch to the candidates that lost at the polls and to use his leadership quality to build a government of unity.

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Ogun PDP Candidate Hon. Ladi Adebutu’s Chances Boost

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Hon. Adebutu


 Ahead of the March 18,2023 governorship election, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, the candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State is staying true to his vow to unseat the incumbent, Dapo Abiodun. The Remo-born politician has so far stood with the people and refused to jettison his ambition in the face of daunting challenges. 
Having started the game long before many  others, the hard working politician has put in plenty of work into the project. Today, he remains one of the few candidates who have toured every nook and cranny of the state.  This has positioned him ahead of other candidates in the race because he understands where the shoes pinch, and he understands the problem of each and all the communities in Ogun state. 
He has proven that he is not an opportunist by refusing to abandon his people even when he was confronted by challenges that would ordinarily swallowed other lily-livered politicians.  In the course of his political trajectory he has been able to surmount all the hurdles thrown in his path by his opponents and naysayers.
Another cheery news coming from Ogun state indicates that the internal crisis threatening the chances of  Hon. Adebutu may have been finally laid to rest, following the public reconciliation with his political arch-rival,  Otunba Segun Showunmi.
As recalled, Showunmi  had earlier challenged in the court the party primary that produced Hon. Adebutu.
The foremost politician had always said that he was waiting patiently for the Supreme Court to give judgement on this matter and had always assured his supporters of the eventual victory.
However, all of this was laid to rest last Friday  when Hon. Adebutu with his loyalists paid a visit to Hon. Showunmi’s residence at his  Ibara, Abeokuta, GRA.
At the well-elaborated welcome party, Otunba Showunmi urged his supporters to sheathe their swords and work for the success of Hon. Adebutu at the March 18 Governorship election.
Showunmi, who was ecstatic, pleaded with his teeming to bury their hatchet and go back to their different polling units to canvass for Hon. Adebutu.
“My people, no more war. I am pleading with you to go back home and work for PDP. This coming election is for what concerns you and I. This coming election is for Hon. Ladi Adebutu. He is friendly and accommodating. Do whatever you can do to ensure PDP emerges, there’s no crisis again.”
Reacting, Hon. Adebutu  thanked Sowunmi for the reconciliation and sincerity. He said further that the journey to secure the party’s ticket as the governorship candidate has been tough, explaining that the party just received the 8th Supreme Court Judgment which has paved the way for him to contest the elections.
He, however raised the alarm that moles within have been working against the party to favour the opposition.
The governorship candidate disclosed that number of his loyalists who recently joined forces with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have all along being a burden, adding that their exit is a big relief for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Adebutu, who expressed optimism of winning the governorship poll, disclosed that the alleged moles used resources of the PDP to garner votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the recently concluded Presidential election
“Some moles within the Peoples Democratic Party, who are pretenders used our resources to work for All Progressives Congress at the just concluded presidential elections. They are burden to us and we try to manage them, offer them financial support every month’, he said.
“Their exit is now a relief for us, and they cannot last more than 90 days. Thank God we know them earlier enough and strike them out. PDP is now free. My mission to become the Governor is to repair the state”, Adebutu emphasized.
The former member of House of Representatives said those who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join All Progressives Congress (APC), are expired products, that will not last more than 90 days, stressing that their antecedents showed that it’s their habitual characters.
A source revealed that this reconciliation is coming at the right time and this would further boost the chance of the former member of the  House of Representatives.

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I’m On A Mission To Rescue Enugu State- LP Governorship Candidate- Edeoga

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Former member of the  House of Representatives and  Governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Enugu State, Chijioke Edeoga, has said his mission is to restore social, cultural and economic fortunes of the state if elected governor.
Edeoga, who spoke at the weekend, lamented attempts by his opponents, who, according to him, have been fanning embers of disunity among the people, adding that his mission is to heal the state from years of disunity.
He said Enugu people are united and share a common cultural bond that cannot be overlooked by actions of desperate political actors.
Decrying efforts to pit people of Enugu East zone against their brothers in Enugu North of the state, the Labour Party candidate urged the people to cast their votes for him, stressing that he is the best person “to heal the state of imaginary divisions orchestrated by people, whose only intention is political profiteering.”
He said: “It is unfortunate that a number of people have been laying emphasis on what divides us rather than factors that unite us. But I have dedicated my life to making our state better. People are working hard to write imaginary lines of division between and among us; but I am here to blight those lines.
“I am from Enugu East Senatorial Zone, and I maintain cultural ties with Enugu North. This peculiar position puts me in good stead, better than any other candidate in this election to see everyone as one and the same. As God had made it, my running mate, Charles Nwokeabia, is from Enugu West. This means that in Labour Party, we have the type of rare balance that gives everyone in every part of the state a sense of belonging.
“We do not speak in zones. We speak of the state as one united constituency in need of transformation, and this we are determined to do.”

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