Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, former governor of Oyo State, has described a united All Progressives Congress as a threat to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
Alao-Akala spoke at the Oyo APC stakeholders’ meeting held at Lafia Hotel, Apata, Ibadan, ahead of its congress scheduled for the third week of July.
The former governor, and chairman, Oyo APC Elders Advisory Council, urged stakeholders to ensure a crisis-free congress saying party members should guide against infiltration from other political parties.
He said the APC would work hard to win the 2013 elections in the state, noting, “Those in government now have failed. That is why people are trooping to join the APC en-mass.”
He appealed to leaders of the party to go back to their various wards to strategize, stressing that the agenda of the PDP was to throw spanners of confusion into the scheme of things within the Oyo APC.
“I can tell you categorically that we have become a major threat to the PDP in Oyo State. There is serious confusion among them. Our unity has become an headache to them. They never expected us to come together and form a formidable force that we all see today.
“Take for example, the local government meeting of the APC in Ibadan North Local Government Area; it caught them unawares. The turnout was super impressive. Go to Atisbo Local Government Area in Oke Ogun area of the state, it is the same success story. The report of our registration exercise, which is still ongoing, is another success story.
“With all these and many more successes too numerous to mention, it behoves on us to be mindful of our actions at every given time. We cannot afford to jeopardise this fragile opportunity at hand. The PDP is seriously rattled by our deft political moves. They planned to infiltrate our camp to distabilize us. They planned to use every available opportunity to turn the table against us, but we must not allow them,” Alao-Akala said.
He urged members to eschew violence and discord in the forthcoming congresses, saying, “We should allow a level-playing ground in choosing who will steer the ship of the party as executives. We will not allow imposition. We will not allow thuggery and brigandage. We will not allow any form of violence. We will lead by example.
“Women should come out en-mass. Your participation is very important at this stage. We will give priority to your participation in the coming congress elections.”
The Caretaker Chairman of APC in the state, Chief Akin Oke, reiterated the call for party leaders to sink their differences, saying that with this, the party would be able to end the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde in 2023.
Following a motion by former Minister of Communications, Bayo Shittu, ratified by all present, the meeting directed that party leaders should return to their wards for further action.
Among those at the meeting are Minister of Sports, Chief Sunday Dare; former Minister of Sports, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja; Pa Jolaoso, a former deputy governor in the state, Chief Moses Adeyemo; Senator Ademola Adeseun, Senator Femi Lanlehin, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, Olusegun Odebunmi; and Dapo Lam-Adesina.
Also at the meeting are Senator Soji Akanbi, Prof. Adeolu Akande, Wunmi Oladeji, Akeem Adeyemi, Asimiyu Alarape, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, Chief Bayo Adelabu, Mogaji Olorode, Abu Gbadamosi, Joseph Tegbe, Alhaji Basiru Ajibade, Alhaji Bolaji Kareem and Ajao Jacob.
Others are Sarafadeen Ali, Chief Niyi Akintola, Olagunju Ojo, Dr Ayandele, Dr Gbade Ojo, Iyiola Oladokun, Saheed Fijabi, Lowo Obisesan, Alhaji Laide Abass, Mrs Ogunesan, Olalekan Ali, Ajiboye Omodewu, Mrs Folake Olunloyo Oshimowo, Dr Yunus Akintunde, Prof. Niyi Olowofela, former legislators, former commissioners and former elected local council chairmen, led by Abass Aleshinloye.
