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Members of the Unity Forum, the breakaway faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, who are currently members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), are divided over who to support among the two major candidates in Saturday’s governorship election.
As a matter of fact, there are discordant tunes emanating from the camp.
While some members of the group led by Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, early in the week, endorsed the APC candidate, Adebayo Adelabu, saying they were returning to the APC, another group of members led by Hon. Adedapo Adesina, on Wednesday, declared that they were still in the ADC and have not endorsed any candidate.
In an emergency meeting held on Tuesday at a private location in Ibadan, members of the Alimi group considered the reports of a delegation which had earlier met with Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu and agreed to support Adelabu.
Notable party chieftains at the meeting include; Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, Dr. Hammed Ayinla (Oyo ADC Chairman), Dr. Adebayo Adewusi, Chief ‘Goke Oyetunji, Chief Tijani Balogun, Alh. Lekan Kazeem, Engr. Azeez Adeoye, Elder Egbetokun, Chief Sunday Owoade, Chief Emmanuel Oyewusi, Hon. Lasun Adebunmi, Mrs Victoria Adegbuyi, Alh. Sikiru Anibire, Alh. Ganiyu Alade, Hon. Kayode Obisesan, Hon. Abiodun Alade, Chief Mathew Fashola among others.
On Wednesday, there were reports that the Adesina led group supported the ADC’s alliance with Seyi Makinde of the PDP but the lawmaker has since denied it, saying they were still consulting.
According to a release signed by Wasiu Olatunbosun, the group’s spokesman, the Unity Forum, at a special reunion meeting organized by the political disciples of late former Governor Alh. Lamidi Onaolapa Adesina in the African Democratic Congress, ADC at Felele, Ibadan, said they remain intact and confident in the leadership of Senator Olufemi Lanlehin.
Olatunbosun said Adesina relayed the extensive discussion had on behalf of the group with Tinubu where he maintained that the group is still unfavorable to what he described as “the height of impunity of Governor Abiola Ajimobi and injustice that characterized the last congress of the state chapter.”
The communiqué issued at the end of the meeting was read by the Deputy Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdulwasiu Musah where the ADC membership of Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu, Hon. Dapo Lam Adesina, Hon. Olusumbo Olugbemi, Hon. Michael Akintola, Hon. Abiodun Olasupo, many other State Assembly members and other prominent members of the group in a release made by the spokesman Dr Olatubosun Wasiu said the unity of the group remains valid and sacrosanct.
Those who attended the meeting include Alhaji Isamosta Ashiru, Prince Demola Hamzat(Iseyin), Alhaji Tajudeen Aliu Adetunji(Saki East), Alhaji Ladi Oluokun(Ibadan North East), Hon. Fatai Salam, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun,Hon. Debo Ogunniran(Lagelu), Alhaji Adebayo Wahab Adewale(Saki East), Hon. Adekunle Rafiu, Hon. Bolaji Badmus, Hon. Ganiyi Ayesoro and many others.