A youth group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Pacesetter Progressive Youth Forum (PPYF), has described the agitation for the dissolution of the party’s executive committees in the state as a plot to cause an unending crisis and make things worse for the party.
There were reports last week that a group named APC Reformers called for the dissolution of the party’s executive committee at all levels in the state as a catalyst for reconciliation and return of estranged members who left in the wake of the internal crises that rocked the state chapter of the party last year.
In a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Monday by the state coordinator, Mr Dauda Ajana, the PPYF regretted the circumstances that led to the loss the of the governorship seat to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and described the development as a temporary setback.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that Oyo State is too strategic to be left in the hands of the PDP in view of the opposition party’s antecedents but what happened in the March 9, 2019 gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in the state has taught many political players some lessons which would not be forgotten in a hurry.
“Meanwhile, in view the calls for the Oyo APC to be strengthened with the return of some members who jumped ship in the wake of the last year party congresses as well as others from all strata of life, there is the need for caution. Returning members should eschew bitterness and demonstrate sense of regret over their actions which almost relegated the party.
“It would be out of place and immoral for anyone to sponsor or be part of any act capable of finally bringing the party to its knees at this crucial time. Now that the chips are down, the current Akin Oke-led State Executive Committee, which holds a four-year mandate, remains the rallying point through which the dream of a rejuvenated and virile Oyo APC can be achieved.
“As a matter of fact, the legendary role of Chief Oke in the quantum of peace and stability experienced in the defunct ACN and the APC till today will remain a reference point in the political history of the state. But for this Awoist of repute, discerning minds know that some undemocratic forces from within and outside the political turf would have destabilized the progressive fold long ago.
“Apart from being a product of constitutional democracy and the rule of law, the current state Executive team is a stabilizing factor which is capable of turning things around for the party in post-May 29, 2019 era which is expected to be quite challenging for obvious reasons. There may be genuine cause for readjustment in view of complaints non-representation by some local government areas but this can still be resolved through dialogue,” the group added.