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Former Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Isaac Omodewu, has emerged as Chairman All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Oyo State.
Omodewu emerged at a congress held at Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
The former commissioner emerged despite some members of the party faulting the delegates’ list and called for the cancellation of the congress.
At a pressure conference, some of the leaders called failed the entire process, describing the delegates’ list as jaundiced.
Among those those who called for the cancellation are Senator Ayo Adeseun, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Dr Joseph Tegbe, Mr Sunday Dare, Professor Adeolu Akande and Honourable Tolulope Akande-Sadipe.
The chairman of the congress committee, Alh. Gambo Lawan, had earlier been prevented from leaving his hotel for several hours.
The secretary of the committee, Bello Abdulahi, eventually conducted the state congress on Saturday to end months of waiting and uncertainty.
The congress produced new members of the state executive chaired by Omodewu.
The congress could not commence until 4pm as Lawan and some members of his committee were held down in the hotel by unknown hoodlums whom Lawan alleged were sponsored by members of the party who did not want the congress to hold.
He said: “I didn’t come because hoodlums sponsored by miscreant elements barricaded my hotel and were shooting. So, the hoodlums were sponsored by politicians in Oyo State. It’s a pity that APC leaders can do this. Politics is about people trusting and electing you.
“Because of the situation, security people advised me to stay until they were able to clear the way but their actions did not subside. Fortunately, my secretary and one other officer already went out before they laid the siege. So they were asked to go and organise the congress.
“The national secretariat approved that the secretary do it. The delegation was also approved by me. So, it can’t be a nullity. It was legal and correct.”
When asked to comment on the exercise, Abdulahi said: “The list handed to us was well sorted out. We brought it here and did what we had to do. We have just affirmed the new executive.”
In electing the new executive members by affirmation, Hon. Segun Odebunmi, representing Ogo Oluwa/Surulere Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives moved the motion and was seconded by a former state lawmaker. Then, they were affirmed. The exercise lasted only about 10 minutes.
At the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium venue of the exercise were Sen. Teslim Folarin, Hon. Segun Odebunmi and four members of the Oyo State House of Assembly.
The new chairman, Omodewu, assured that he would rally all aggrieved leaders to work with his executive to make APC formidable for the 2023 election. This position was also echoed by Hon. Odebunmi.