Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have begun making moves to address the leadership crisis rocking the party’s state chapter as the primary election draws closer.
The embattled leaders met behind closed doors at the Oluyole, Ibadan, the residence of the immediate past governor of the state, the late Abiola Ajimobi.
Further reports show that all the gladiators at the meeting said the development is long overdue and in the party’s interest. The people of the state expressed willingness to sheath their swords and allow for peace to have a formidable front ahead of the 2023 election.
Furthermore, it was gathered that part of the resolution reached at the meeting was that all was not well with the party leadership, and a reconciliation committee would be set up to address all identified grey areas causing the issues.
Some leaders at the meeting include Ex-First Lady Dr Florence Ajimobi, who facilitated the meeting; embattled State Chairman Isaac Omodewu; former Deputy Governor Alake Adeyemo; Senator Ayo Adeseun; former Commissioner of Health, Dr Azeez Adeduntan; former Secretary to the Oyo State Government (SSG), Olalekan Alli; former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly and Lowo Obisesan.
Others are Bolaji Afeez, Adigun Hammed, Lekan Afuye, Shina Alabi, Mabel Williams, and Folake Olunloyo, among other state leaders.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, a leader of the aggrieved group, Senator Ayoade Adeseun, revealed that the problem of the party has to do with the faulty process that needs to be revisited, noting that the party has to make the adjustments to ensure that it jointly focuses on the challenges.
He said the body was aware that the National Secretariat was working on uniting the party. Still, whatever decision it comes up with, there is the need to seek the cooperation of party members at all levels, from the ward to the local government and the state, for the party to succeed in its onerous target of ensuring that the Seyi Makinde administration is put to an end in the state, come 2023.
Adeseun stated: “We don’t want this state in the hand of a character of this fellow anymore. We have resolved that God willing, we will work together.
“The problem we are having has to do with the flawed process, which will be revisited. We must make necessary adjustments to ensure that we unitedly focus on our challenges.
“We will set up a committee that will delve into the issues that are at hand, make necessary adjustments and come up with a unified party.
“All we are saying is that we want arrangements that all of us can work together. With a give and take tripod, we will resolve all the issues,” he affirmed.
Also speaking, the embattled State Chairman, Isaac Omodewu, appreciated the wife of the late Governor and the party leaders across the state for trying to ensure a united front.
He said: “I can only say we are here to reconcile all members of our party in the state. As the state chairman, I will appreciate it if the two factions can come together as one for us to send the current maladministration of Seyi Makinde away from the office in 2023. The resolution will favour everyone in the party.”
Speaking on the essence of the meeting, the convener, Dr Florence Ajimobi, expressed optimism that the crisis rocking the party would be resolved in days.
Even though she was aggrieved, too, she had swallowed her pride. She was seeking peace with the honour of her late husband, who she said was a peace-loving man.
E/Suzan O.
