Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Owo and Ose local government of Ondo state are divided over the endorsement of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s governorship ambition.
While some leaders of the party in Owo, led by the deputy governor, Olayide Adelami, on Monday, threw their weight behind Aiyedatiwa, the other faction maintained that the “hungry” faction of the party endorsed Aiyedatiwa.
The Adelami-led faction described Aiyedatiwa as the right choice for the people of the state and should be given the chance to continue the good work he has started.
But some prominent political leaders of the party from Owo and Ose, distanced themselves from the endorsement, saying they refused “to honour such betrayal and cruelty with our party’s endorsement”. According to them, no amount of propaganda or fake endorsement of Aiyedatiwa would prevent him from imminent defeat in the forthcoming election.
In a statement signed on behalf of APC leaders in Owo, Former Special Adviser on Natural Resources, Fatai Olushina, and former APC chairyman in Ose local government, Elefola Solomon, faulted the Aiyedatiwa’s endorsement, noting that those who previously opposed Aketi’s interest in the state are behind the endorsement.
The statement by the group reads that, “We are constrained to quell the spreading of this disinformation, and halt this falsehood from gaining further traction within the public domain.
“Succinctly we assert that the report claiming APC leaders in Owo and Ose have endorsed Aiyedatiwa is both egregiously fallacious and patently deceptive and misleading”
They explained that “the event that transpired in Owo was, in fact, a gathering of those loyal to Aiyedatiwa, convened at the Oba Olateru Olagbegi Civic Centre for a political meeting, as evidenced by the attendees.
“The assemblage included Deputy Governor Olayide Oyelami, former Chief of Staff Gbenga Ale, and Femi Idris, all of whom have since aligned with Governor Aiyedatiwa’s camp. Also, Hon. Olayemi Adeyemi, the coordinator for the Aiyedatiwa faction in Owo, was present.
“This group has previously opposed Aketi’s interest in the state. Chief Gbenga Ale has been with Aiyedatiwa before our late Governor passed away. Similarly, Mr. Femi Idris’s defection to Aiyedatiwa’s faction was motivated by personal interest.
“Should there ever be a genuine consensus to endorse a candidate within the Owo and Ose APC chapters, it would be championed by our renowned and steadfast leaders, whose political acumen is well recognized.”
According to them, “Such a meeting would necessitate the presence of influential personalities like; Member representing Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, Hon. Timehin Adelegbe; Member of the House of Assembly representing Owo Constituency 1, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi; Member representing Owo Constituency 2, Hon. Morenike Witherspoon;
“Also, former Special Adviser to the late Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye; former Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands, and Housing under the late Akeredolu, Engr. Raimi Aminu; son of the late Governor, Babajide Akeredolu; Pastor Akin Olotu; former Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Oyato Aribo; member of the Federal Character Commission, Chief Olufemi Omosanya; Chairman of the defunct ANPP, Chief Yinusa Adeola; Chief Tola Awoh; among other stalwarts of the party.”
They noted that “footage retrieved from the event highlights the local government party chairman’s refusal to publicly endorse Aiyedatiwa, which led to an obvious awkward situation.
“This unfolding spectacle is as amusing as it is troubling. We remain vigilant of Aiyedatiwa’s escalating desperation and his campaign’s attempts to manufacture endorsements across the state.
“Our resolve is firm in Owo and Ose, and within the broader APC family, to not let misrepresentations prevail.
“The loyalists of the late Governor Akeredolu’s leadership in Owo and across the state stand united in their rejection of Aiyedatiwa’s tactics to secure the party’s nomination. It is well documented that Aiyedatiwa’s treatment of the late Governor was profoundly inhumane and deeply callous.
“We refuse to honour such betrayal and cruelty with our party’s endorsement. As we await guidance from our revered leader and father, President Bola Tinubu, we are committed to exposing the deceit and mendacity of Aiyedatiwa and his cohort of betrayers.”
