Osun APC Ward Appeal’s Committee Decision A Ruse — Party Group

The Osun Progressives (TOP), a group within the Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) has described as a ruse, the purported report of the Ward Congress Appeal Committee that entertained petitions filed by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the Ward Congress held on July 31, 2021 in the State of Osun.

In a press release signed by its Chairman, Adelowo Adebiyi and made available to the media in Osogbo, the group stated that it had noted with dismay the absence of logic in the report which has been circulating on social media.

Adelowo stated that the group will not be surprised if the report is found to be true considering their experience with members of the Osun ward Congress committee chaired by Gbenga Elegbeleye.

While alleging that members of the ward congress and appeal committee were nominees of the Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola who represents the South West in the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Committee, Adebiyi explained that they will do his bidding in order to ensure the protection of his interest.

In defending the activities of the APC group, the Chairman revealed that they had been busy following the process and procedures as stated by the party’s National Secretariat.

He revealed that TOP had to tread the path of righteousness because it believed that the party will not allow injustice to take root in its operations.

While emphasising that the appeal committee had lied about 32 petitions being submitted, Adebiyi explained that petitions were submitted in 286 wards including two from him and the party’s state caretaker secretary, Alhaji Rasaq Salinsile.

According to him, “In the context of that report also, the committee equally lied that they took all petitions whereas they took only about five local governments and promised to take the rest through the lawyers whose attempted calls they refused.

“Like that of Elegbeleye committee, the appeal committee said nothing and failed to adjudicate on the fact that two sets of aspirants obtained forms for all positions in Osun APC and that while we purchased through acceptable individual bank tellers, the other group used single teller to mop up all the forms they precluded others from buying.”

He declared that their actions were a joke carried too far adding that the group was sure the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee will not allow such to thrive.

The TOP Chairman called on the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee not to only reject the subjudiced report but also
preclude Governor Oyetola from further participation in its activities as he has compromised his integrity.

He maintained that the group will never give in to the repressive tendencies presently exhibited by the government and its supporters in the state and vowed to formally pursue the appeal to a logical and justifiable conclusion.

Early reports had it on Friday that the appeal committee had dismissed the petition of the caucus because it was not substantiated and the positioned they canvassed for was considered unfounded.

In the report, the appeal committee urged the party’s National Secretariat to set in motion the process of reconciliation and added that the ward congress committee complied with the party guidelines.

Meanwhile, efforts by InfoStride News to get the Chairman of the Appeal Committee, Ambassador Obed Wadzani and the Secretary, Femi Odufowokan was not successful as they did not take their calls and did not also respond to text messages sent to them.