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Many former loyalists of former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja have pledged to remain in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
They gave the commendation while addressing reporters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Leader of the group, Alhaji Rasaq Akilapa, who in 2011, led thousands of Ladoja supporters to defunct Action Congress of Nigeria which metamorphosed into the APC, addressed journalists in Ibadan on Monday.
Akilapa, who was in company of other stakeholders of the party from Ona Ara Local Government said “there was no basis for any member of our group to ditch APC’.
The APC Chieftain from Oluyole Federal constituency assured the party leadership in the state and generality of the peace-loving mass of Oyo to disregard a purported crack in the party, saying it was a rumour ‘which can never pass a litmus test in the face of reality”.
His words: “You remember we left Ladoja’s camp in 2011 for Ajimobi and we are better off for it because all the courtesies and patronages we deserve are being accorded us under our new name ‘Unity Forum’ within the ruling APC. And as the state leader of the group, I can beat my chest that no member of the group is aggrieved or threatening to leave the group or the APC as a party.
“Whoever has any grievance concerning any matter should come forward to state it and we shall see to amicable resolution of such. But as I speak to you, there is no disintegration or disharmony within us. The chairman of the APC in Ona Ara who was said to have uttered the purported crisis was quoted out of context. The Reform group or whatever they said are breaking away are not going anywhere. We remain committed to the project APC and Ajimobi remains our leader. I urge our people to disregard such and continue to support the government especially now that the Local Government election is under way.”
Akilapa, who was leader of the group formerly known as ‘Ladoja Idera De,’ said Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s handling of the party affairs deserves the commendation because leading millions of party supporters and admirers is not an easy task.
He described the governor as a man of “unmatched political prowess and unequalled achievements” whose reign has returned hitherto elusive peace and had bring all round developments to the nook and cranny of the state.