The loyalists of the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, in the All Progressives Congress, has claimed that the national leadership has directed it to inaugurate the ward congresses conducted by the group in the state.
Recall that the APC in the state is divided into those following Abiodun and a faction loyal to Amosun .
Both Amosun and Abiodun groups had held parallel ward congresses in the state and submitted different results .
The appeal panel set up by the party during its visit received two petitions from the aggrieved members loyal to Amosun .
The panel, having listened to the loyalists of Amosun, who included two senators, Tolu Odebiyi and Lekan Mustapha representing Ogun West and Ogun East senatorial districts respectively, agreed that there were issues to resolve in the state .
But Abiodun loyalists in a statement by the state APC Publicity Secretary, Caretaker Committee, Tunde Oladunjoye, said the party leadership had directed the caretaker committee to inaugurate the ward executive in preparation for the local government congress scheduled for Saturday .
Abiodun group in the statement made reference to a statement signed by the Secretary of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC, Senator John Akpanudoedeh, directing them that “the conduct of nationwide Local Government Congresses should proceed accordingly by Saturday, September 4th, 2021 as contained in the official timetable of activities released the party.
“CECPC has ratified and adopted the results of the party’s nationwide ward congresses held on Saturday, July 31st, 2021. Accordingly, the CECPC approved the immediate inauguration of Ward Executives by state caretaker committees,” the statement reads partly.
The governor, however, assured members that there would be no imposition of candidates in the local government congress.
Addressing a meeting of party stakeholders in Abeokuta on Wednesday, the governor was quoted as saying, “We should continue to be all inclusive. We must involve people who have joined us, as they intend to actualise their aspirations.”
Several attempts to speak with loyalists of Amosun over this claim failed as none of them was willing to speak to the press on the issue.