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The last may not have been heard about the crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress, APC in Ogun State as two major groups at the centre of internal wrangling inaugurated factional ward executives across the 236 wards.
A faction led by Governor Dapo Abiodun earlier on Thursday, inaugurated its ward executive, while the other faction led by former Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun took its oath of office on Friday, in Abeokuta, the State capital.
Both Abiodun and Amosun have been locking horns over the party structure with the two groups conducting parallel ward congresses on Saturday, July 31.
Two sitting Senators, Lekan Mustapha (Ogun East) and Tolu Odebiyi (Ogun West) loyal to Amosun had earlier filed petitions against the ward congress before the five-man Appeal Panel set up by the national body of the party to resolve all issues surrounding the congress.
The All Progressives Congress Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee reportedly ratified and adopted the results of Abiodun – led ward parallel congress.
Accordingly, the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee approved the immediate inauguration of Ward Executives.
The action, subsequently paved the way for inauguration of factional ward executives by both groups.
Abiodun, on Friday, backed ward chairmen, who took oath of office, administered by the party’s lawyer, Honourable Abeeb Ajayi
at the Mitros Hall, Abeokuta.
Addressing the ward chairmen after the inauguration, the State chairman, APC Caretaker Committee in Ogun State, Yemi Sanusi, urged them to run an inclusive administration in their respective wards.
Sanusi said the door of the party is widely open to receive as many Nigerians desiring to join the progressives train, adding that unity and peace should be pursued at all times to ensure the continued success of the party.
He also charged the ward chairmen to shun pride, divisive tendencies and one man-show, saying such attitude breeds only disagreement and faction.
Less than twenty -four hours after the inauguration of Governor Abiodun – backed ward executives, Amosun’s loyalists stormed his constituency office located at Leme, Abeokuta, on Friday and inaugurated its faction’s ward executives.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Sarafa Tunji Ishola, Senator Odebiyi, former APC State Chairman, Derin Adebiyi, Amosun’s elder brother, Alhaji Abidoye Amosun, among other Amosun loyalists were present at the parallel inauguration.
Addressing the gathering, Odebiyi, who was Amosun’s Chief of Staff, said
“I don’t have much to say. Let’s continue to do the right thing and very soon, our wishes and aspirations would come to pass.”
Adebiyi described Amosun – backed ward executives as the “authentic one. We have submitted our results and they have approved of it,” he said.
He said: “We are in the majority and no reasonable and responsible party will abandon the majority of the minority.”
Two warring groups have expressed their readiness to conduct parallel Local Government congresses on Saturday, VON’s correspondent reports.
Governor Abiodun while addressing party stakeholders in Abeokuta, ahead of preparation for Saturday’s Local government congress of the party, assured members of the party of a level playing ground.
Abiodun who is also the leader of the party in the state, urged members of the party to jettison their self interest and work for the success of the party.
He said: “We should continue to be all inclusive. We must involve people who have joined us, as they intend to actualise their aspirations.”
Governor charged party members on the need to actively build a team, which will consolidate the victory of the party.
“We will not allow anyone to steer the ship of the party off-course. The party must be put first,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of Amosun group, his elder brother, Alhaji Abidoye Amosun asked loyalists of faction to mobilise en masse and participate in the Saturday’s LG congress.
Lateefah Ibrahim
