The South-West Leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have passed a vote of no confidence on the Party’s National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye, throwing its weight behind Agunloye’s suspension.
At an emergency meeting, the party leaders in Ibadan on Saturday agreed that Agunloye’s suspension by his ward in Ondo North Local Government Area was necessitated by his alleged involvement in anti-party activities and disregard for the party’s constitution, which was unacceptable.
The leaders also hailed the endorsement of Alh. Sheu Musa Gabam, as the Ag. National Chairman of the party, pending the forthcoming congress of the party.
SDP CHAIRMAN, OTHERS SPEAK ON AGUNLOYE’S SUSPENSION
The Chairman, South-West Leaders, SDP, Mr Femi Olaniyi, described Agunloye as an enemy of the party who was somewhat interested in his gains.
Olaniyi, who chairs Lagos SDP, also stated that Agunloye had deliberately frustrated the growth of SDP in Ondo State, such that the membership strength has reduced.
However, on behalf of the South-West leadership, he said that the emergence of Agunloye as the party’s secretary is unacceptable to South-West members of the Party.
Therefore, the party leaders appealed to the National Leadership of the party to give it a week’s grace to put down a suitable candidate for the National scribe of the party.
Dr Sola Agboola, a party stalwart from Ondo State, in his words, described Agunloye as a political fraudster who is fond of using the divide and rule style with his position, which gave the party a bad reputation.
He said we had suspended Agunloye from a long-time ago in Ondo State, where he hails from, based on a letter from his ward (Ward 10) that recommended his suspension from the party over alleged anti-party activities.
“The Social Democratic Party, SDP, South-West caucus is very law-abiding, and we are not to support anyone usurping authority,” he said.
At the meeting were: Engr Adewole Adesina- National Leader, Dr Sola Agboola-Ondo State, Chief Curtis- Chairman Emeritus, Oyo State and Hon. Kola Balogun, among others.
Rising from the emergency meeting, the SW SDP leaders issued a 6-point communique thus:
- That the suspension of Dr Olu Agunloye from SDP because of allegations of fraud and anti-party activities by his Ward and Ondo State Executive Committees of the party is hereby accepted, endorsed and upheld by the SW chapter of the party.
- That the unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional “swapping” of positions between Dr Olu Agunloye and Alhaji Shehu Gabam is rejected.
- That the Acting capacity of Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam as the National Chairman, pending the conduct of the following National Convention, as a result of Dr Agunloye’s face-saving resignation, is hereby accepted.
- That a Vote of no Confidence is at this moment unanimously passed on Dr Olu Agunloye, who should NEVER dream of parading himself as the National Secretary of SDP.
- That they mandatorily requested the NWC of the party to call for the nomination of a responsible, law-abiding and befitting party, Chieftain from the SW, to occupy the position of National Secretary of the party as a matter of urgency.
- Henceforth, there should be no more factions in the party throughout the SW zone.
In another development, the party commiserated with the people of Oyo Kingdom over the demise of their monarch, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, describing him as an enterprising and fearless man whose reign was peaceful.
The party noted that the monarch, in his lifetime, was committed to the promotion of the rich Yoruba culture and traditions.
E/Suzan O.
