The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has warned existing and returning members to shun any action capable of fractionalising the party.
The party said it is poised to continue with its reconciliation efforts in spite of the recent return of a good number of former members who defected to the Accord party in 2022.
The main opposition party in the state had, on Friday, welcomed back most of its members who had left for the Accord party in the build-up to the 2023 general election.
The returning members include the gubernatorial candidate of Accord and current Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu; two former deputy chairmen of Oyo APC, Alhaji Isiaka Alimi and Chief Olalekan Adeyemo; as well as Chief Kunle Sanda, Chief Goke Oyetunji, Hon. Kolapo Kola-Daisi, and Hon. Kunle Jenrade, among others.
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In a statement issued on Wednesday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the Oyo APC urged all other former party members who were yet to return to rescind their decision and either stay put in Accord or join the ruling party.
Sadare said: “We do not want any of our people to remain outside the fence now that the storm is over. So, we are appealing to the concerned individuals who stayed away from the last Friday event to return home without further delay.
“We must appreciate the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, in supporting the reconciliation drive of the current leadership of Oyo APC as this has facilitated the return of many of our members who abandoned the party over 18 months ago,” he stated.
The statement notes that all stakeholders, including the party’s three senators, nine members of the House of Representatives and four members of the State House of Assembly, had resolved to work together with the new members with a view to making the party stronger and more virile ahead of future challenges.
Sadare advised the returning members to shun any divisive tendencies, particularly as it relates to parallel meetings and engagement in dog fights over executive committee positions at all levels since it had been agreed by all parties that modalities would be worked out to address some grey areas which might affect total integration and harmonious co-existence.
He noted: “The status quo should be maintained across the 351 wards and 33 LGAs until further notice from the appropriate quarters. All the new or returning members need do is to report at their respective ward meetings and make open announcements while none should be discriminated against on account of events that had happened in the past.
“Feelers across the state indicate that residents are tired of the present PDP administration which has prioritised the sale of choice heritage and public properties to some privileged individuals and while encouraging corruption,” Oyo APC concluded.
Emmanuel Ukoh
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