Adejoke Adeleye/Abeokuta

Members of  Ogun West Elders Forum of All Progressives Congress, APC,  have expressed support for Dapo Abiodun as the state party’s gubernatorial candidate for the 2019 general election.

Members of the Forum also disassociated themselves from the so called ‘third term agenda’ of the incumbent Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

Members of the Forum stated their view about the governor and his said agenda in a communiqué issued after a meeting of its members noted that Amosun’s leadership has betrayed their trust and belief for a processed, empowered and mentored Yewa Awori man to take over the mantle of governance in the state.

The Communique which was signed by Chief Mufutau, Akande Ajibola, Chief Samuel Ayedogbon and Chief Fadipe Yayah partly reads: “Ladies and gentlemen, we are all aware of the current intrigues that have been playing out in our dear Ogun State since the hitch-free conduct of the gubernatorial primary of our great party, which came up on Wednesday, October 3, 2018, wherein Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun was declared winner by the National Working Committee’s Electoral Panel led by a retired Commissioner of Police,Mr Muhammed Indabawa.

“No doubt, the result of the gubernatorial primary still appears not to have gone down well with Governor Ibikunle Amosun as a result of the loss of his preferred candidate, Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade to Prince Dapo Abiodun.

Since the free and fair conduct of the primary, which was keenly monitored by designated members of the APC NWC, several untoward incidents, gimmick and political antics have been orchestrated by some aggrieved members of Ogun APC.

Consequently, the current spate of unpleasant political happenings has indeed become a source of worry to every well-meaning and peace-loving indigene of Ogun, home and abroad”.

The Elders however,  warned that the intimidations, threats and harassment of members loyal to Prince Dapo Abiodun must stop immediately.

According to them, “we recognize the rights and opinions of few members to be dissatisfied, but urged them to implore decent approach to vent their dissatisfaction. We therefore appeal to them to stop pockets of embarrassing and old fashioned de marketing of our great party”.

“We take exceptions to recent uncomplimentary comments by Mr Governor and Mrs Anisulowo against the Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Comrade Adams Oshiomole and our highly revered leader Akirogun Segun Osoba and warned that a repeat of such action would be met with appropriate reactions.”

“The group unanimously align, agree and support the decision of the NWC that conducted APC gubernatorial primary in the state to uphold the mandate freely given to Prince Dapo Abiodun by the overwhelming majority of our part members.

“We are solidly behind the national body of our party and urge them not to be distracted by sponsored gatherings and belated empowerment in some areas.”

They also appealed to Governor Amosun to respect, support and rally round the choice of the party members in Prince Dapo Abiodun who they noted is his ‘bosom friend’ in the overall interest of APC while reminding him that in democracy, the power belongs to the teeming party members.

“Yewa Awori for Governor candidate of our dream must be credible, have the full virtues of Yewa Awori without any blemishes. He must be acceptable to the vast majority of other equally important stakeholders across the state and responsible to the citizenry and not to a selfish cabal under the leadership of tyrant emperor and self acclaimed god of Ogun State.”