Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The acting chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Alhaji Olayide Abas, urged party leaders and other stakeholders in Oluyole Local Government to embrace peace and dialogue in resolving whatever misunderstanding they might have among themselves, warning that anyone found wanting would be sanctioned.
Abas’ message came against the background of the brewing crisis of confidence among some key stakeholders in the local government area in recent times, which reached its crescendo on Monday, with the expulsion of the lawmaker representing Oluyole Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Shadipe, by the executive committee members from her ward.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the acting chairman frowned at the development, describing it as hasty, needless and embarrassing to the leadership of the party.
“The acting chairman has expressed his disapproval of the reported expulsion of the federal lawmaker without consulting his office first for possible resolution of issues raised and which resulted in the step taken at the Oluyole Local Government Council meeting of the APC on Monday. Therefore, all the parties involved have been ordered to sheathe their swords and maintain the status quo as the necessary actions are being taken to get to the bottom of the whole matter with a view to resolving it once and for all.
“Oyo APC cannot afford to allow crisis at any level again in view of the fact that all critical stakeholders, members and supporters have realised the need to sustain the current wave of unity, togetherness and peace within the party after years of internal battle which cost the party victory at the gubernatorial polls of 2019 and 2023. Oluyole Federal Constituency is important to APC in the state and we shall not leave any stone unturned to ensure restoration of peace and harmony to the council and a few others with similar situation at the moment.
“Lastly, it is important for both parties to give peace a chance and allow relevant leaders in the state to mediate. We are using this opportunity to warn fifth columnists to refrain from fanning the ember of discord in Oluyole, Ona Ara, Egbeda, and other council areas where we have reports of brewing crisis on account of 2027 ambitions of some individuals whose supporters have been found to be overzealous and indecorous,” Abas added.
