AP Dumps Adelabu, Supports Makinde

By Rotimi Agboluaje, Ibadan

The entire Oyo State executive members of the Accord Party (AP) have dumped their governorship candidate in the state, Chief Adebayo Adelabu and declared support for Governor Seyi Makinde of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of Saturday’s governorship polls.

The state Chairman of the party, Kolade Ojo, disclosed this, yesterday, during a media briefing in Ibadan.

According to him, the state working committee of AP, the 33 local council chairmen of the party, as well as party stalwarts, converged on the party’s office in Aremo, Ibadan, to evaluate, brainstorm and came up with the resolution to support the re-election of the incumbent governor.

He said: “Following the just-concluded presidential and National Assembly elections in the country, the state working committee of the party, the 33 local council chairmen of the party, as well as party stalwarts, converged on the party’s office in Aremo, Ibadan, to evaluate, brainstorm and chart the way forward with a view to proffering workable solutions for the progress and continued development of the state.”

“At the meeting, which was chaired by Tajudeen Alimi, Accord Party Chairman, Ibadan South East and Chairman of the chairmen, we decided the following ahead of the forthcoming governorship and house of assembly elections of Saturday, March 11, 2023:

“Consequent upon many appeals and entreaties by local council chairmen to right some wrongs, including the taking of unilateral decisions, deliberate sidelining of ward and local council party executives in the running and administration of the party and lack of harmonious working relationship by the governorship candidate of the party, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the entire party structure expressed its displeasure, disappointment and disenchantment for not being carried along as partners in progress and pillars of electoral victory for his candidature.

“It was categorically stated after discreet observation and careful study of events that Chief Adebayo Adelabu prefers to work in cahoot with his few supporters from his former party, thereby institutionalising use and dump syndrome within the party.

“Chief Adebayo Adelabu has neither recognition, nor due respect whatsoever for the party hierarchy and this he will sustain should he be elected as governor of Oyo State.

“Arising from the above, the party executives, including the state working committee, local and ward executives have lost confidence in Adelabu as a worthy candidate to be supported for the exalted position of state governor. Charity, they say, begins at home thus we would not want him to work at cross purposes with our party’s unique and lofty ideology, which includes unity, togetherness, development and progress for the masses.

“Going forward, the entire Accord Party Oyo State executives have agreed to form a working alliance with the incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde.”

Source: The Guardian