APC Protest Appointment of LG Caretaker Committees in Osun

By Abdulrofiu Agboola

Some members of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in Osun state on Tuesday protested against the alleged irregularity in the appointment of Local Government Caretaker Committee made by the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

It was reported that the majority of the aggrieved APC members, who carried placards with various inscriptions, were from Odo-Otin Local Government Area of the state.

The protesters who took their case to the State House of Assembly, Abere, were said to have been furious about the alleged removal of names of their preferred candidates and replaced them with another names.

The spokesperson for the protesters, Mr Alayo Adelani said the protest was to express their displeasure over happenings in the party, accusing the state assembly of being the brain behind the illegal removal.

Adelani further explained that the Assembly led by the Hon Speaker clandestinely removed one Seyi Oke who he said was the preferred candidate from Odo Otin local government.

He said “nine candidates expressed  interests  and all of them participated in the primary, out of which Seyi Oke was nominated. His name was sent to the state secretariat and endorsed by the party chairman and party elders in the local government.

“Week later, APC Chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun congratulated us on the choice of Oke. The name was later forwarded to Governor for final approval.

‘’When the list got to the Assembly,  one oke’s name was replaced with one Akeem Sikiru.  Sikiru is not known in the party at local government,he did not participate in the primary, he was not even part of any activity of the party in the local government, since he practically resides in Lagos state,’’ he said.

Adelani however accused, Mr Tope Adejumo, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security matters and one Hon Olaolu for conniving with assembly to perpetrate the act.

They therefore demanded the reinstatement of Oke to allow peace to reign, threatening that failure to comply would result to crisis that may tear the party into pieces.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Akintude Adegboye while addressing the protesters appealed to them to remain calm and toe a democratic path of resolving any perceived anomaly.

Adegboye also cautioned them to always consider the interest of the ruling party in any decision they take at any point in time, saying they must not put the party in crisis.

The Speaker House of Assembly, Rt Hon Najeem Salam, had on Monday read at the floor the list of the newly appointed local government caretaker committee members  sent by the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola

Other local governments affected are Osogbo West, Iwo, Ede North, Ife South and Irewole.