An end to the elusive peace within the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) may come very soon as stakeholders from across the 33 local government areas who converged on Ibadan on Thursday to channel a new course among themselves indicated willingness to work together ahead of the 2023 general election.
At a meeting which took place at a popular hotel Ibadan today, stakeholders made up of elders, leaders and members lamented the internal crisis which has been affecting Oyo APC since last year and they were unanimous in their resolve to guide against disintegration of the progressive family even as they called on various gladiators to sheath their sword and allow peace to reign in the overall interest of the state.
Different stakeholders who addressed the gathering expressed optimism about the opposition APC reclaiming power from the PDP in 2023 while they warned all concerned to either give room for genuine reconciliation or risk being at a loss in the end.
A leader from Ibadan city who is a former member of the Oyo APC State Working Committee, Alhaji Kayode Adanla, said in his welcome address that the meeting was at the instance of a gubernatorial aspirant who felt the need to bring together stakeholders from all the group and tendencies with a view to establishing a new order of peace, unity and cooperation.
His words; “It was a governorship aspirant of our Party, Mr. Abisoye Fagade, who brought the idea of this meeting when he realized that the in-fighting among the gladiators was more time than necessary to abate. He went further to meet a few number of leaders who suggested that we should find a way of calling a meeting of this nature and with the calibre of people that attended this meeting, it is safe to say that the current crisis in our party is surmountable.
“Meanwhile, there cannot be peace in the absence of justice and it is on this premise that we are calling on those who have done one wrong or the other against a fellow Progressive should allow reason to prevail as it is expected that this category of people would eschew every trait of selfishness and place the interest of the party above their own.” Adanla stated.
Another leader from Ibadan zone, Hon. Lasun Adebunmi commended the organizer of the meeting for taking a bold step to gather members from virtually all the blocs and groups for a talk on how to move the party forward. He stated that the initiative offered a golden opportunity for members to look more inward for possible solutions to the challenges facing the APC in the state.
In his remarks; the founder of Oyo-Si-Maa-Dun Foundation and a gubernatorial aspirant of the APC who sponsored the meeting, Mr. Abisoye Fagade, opined that the opposition party had a good chance to return to power in the state in 2023 if all stakeholders were ready to play game according to the rule. He noted that the crisis plaguing the party was needless as it was not yet time for the kind of intrigues and horse trading which some gladiators exhibited during the last congresses.
“While we are determined to find a solution to the current problems of our party, we should be ready forget the past and also forgive one another. Since there is no group or individual who can do it alone, we must be willing to allow justice and equity. On our part, we will continue to encourage everyone to come together and dialogue among themselves. I want my own ambition to be treated on its merits as I don’t believe in forcing myself on others for whatever reasons. We are poised to bring back the desired unity, cohesion and cooperation among our people and no stone will be left unturned to achieve this goal.
Party chieftains and leaders who were present at the meeting include; Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, Engr. Dayo Lawal, Chief Goke Oyetunji, Alhaji Hameed Ayinla, Chief Samuel Oketoobo, Mrs Wemimo Beckley, Hon. Kunle Jenrade, Chief Mathew Fashola, Hon. Sulaimon Oyaremi, Hon. Dauda Lawal, Hon. Adesoji Ojoawo, Alh. Ganiyu Alade, Hon. Akinyemi Akinlabi among others.
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