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Former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, is still in the African Democratic Alliance (ADC) even though speculations about him defecting to the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) remain rife.
According to PmParrot, one of the former governor’s aides who prefered not to be named, said his principal may still leave ADC if certain things were not put right in the party.
His words: “Baba is ready to move away from ADC if he is not convinced that he will be fairly treated. But I can confirm to you that as at today, 9pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, Senator Rashidi Ladoja is still a member of ADC”.
Newspeakonline however understands that three issues are on the table for ADC to consider if they must retain Ladoja. And Ladoja himself is yet to announce his departure because there are possibilities that the ADC could still yield to his demands.
The first issue is that the name of Ladoja’s preferred governorship candidate, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin is reportedly yet to be submitted to INEC for recognition. Lanlehin’s candidacy is further threatened by the court case instituted by 12 other governorship aspirants in the party.
READ: INEC yet to recognise Lanlehin as Oyo ADC governorship candidate
Secondly, the choice of a running mate for Lanlehin is still in contention with sources saying that the wish of another leader of the party, Chief Micahel Koleoso, to nominate the running mate, is being resisted. Earlier in the week, it emerged that the party had settled for a running mate from the Oke Ogun zone where Koleoso comes from.
It was also gathered that Ladoja is insisting that the names of his loyalists, who were reportedly removed as Oyo State House of Assembly candidates be restored. This is another very contentious issue because members of the Unity Forum which broke away from the All Progressives Congress (APC) where their plans to contest for the state and federal legislature were threatened, actually joined ADC to actualise their ambitions.
As it stands, the national leadership is having a tough time resolving the Oyo ADC crisis especially with the ZLP offering Ladoja and his loyalists almost everything including leadership.