2019: Group kicks against consensus arrangement in Ogun APC

A group under the umbrella of Ijebu/Remo Agenda, on Thursday evening, kicked against the emergence of Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, as the consensus governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State.

The body which comprises eminent indigenes of Ijebu and Remo axis of the State rising from a meeting held in Sagamu, described the consensus arrangement as an “undemocratic process.”

Saturday Tribune recalled that the Ogun West Elders Council of the party, had on, Thursday morning, announced Akinlade, a current member of the House of Representatives representing Egbado South /Ipokia Federal Constituency as the candidate for the gubernatorial seat from the zone.

Addressing newsmen, a governorship aspirant, Prince Dapo Abiodun, said aspirants from Ogun East Senatorial District remained resolute on the Ijebu/Remo Agenda.

Abiodun flanked by the leaders which include Chief Rafiu Sangonuga, Bisi Adesanya, Chief Bisi Rodipe, Chief Olusoga Adebusuwa and Mr. Tayo Mabadeje, the group outrightly dissociated itself, saying aspirants from the senatorial district would subject themselves to an exercise that is transparent fair, equitable and just.

ALSO READ: Issues as Osun set for governorship poll

He added that Ogun East would be presenting a common front before the primaries for someone among the aspirants to represent the Ijebu/Remo Agenda.

“We have just concluded deliberations on the way forward in respect to the gubernatorial primaries in the All Progressives Congress. We from the East have met and on our Ijebu/Remo Agenda we stand. We are resolute and determined that the governorship of this state after His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun must come back to the East.

“We dissociate ourselves from the purported consensus arrangement that was reached on Thursday, in which it was claimed that someone from the West, namely Hon. Akinlade was appointed through some undemocratic process.

“We in the East have met and we will be presenting a common front from the East that will be someone that will represent the Ijebu/Remo Agenda. We are abiding by the recommendations of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress ably led by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and which recommendations are that the party should go and conduct direct primary elections in the states and in those states which they do not want direct primary elections, the party should conduct a stakeholders meeting which should involve all stakeholders of the party comprising of past and present members of the National Assembly and State Assembly, former governors and deputies and leaders of the party.

“In my opinion, that has not yet happened and I’m reliably informed that governor himself has said at an event on Wednesday, that barring the consensus arrangement, we go for direct primaries. Consensus in my understanding means a situation where there is only one aspirant and as you all know in the state today, we have more than one aspirant today in Ogun State. So, in my opinion, we shall, God willing, on the 25th of this month be going for direct primary elections and from the East, we’ll be presenting a candidate that will represent us. By God’s grace, we will be victorious in that primary election,” he added.