By Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has described the reinstatement of the elected local government chairmen as a manifestation of the reality of constitutional democracy.
The party said the reinstatement must be accepted by stakeholders, including Governor Seyi Makinde and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
It appealed for calm from its supporters, calling for dialogue with Governor Makinde on how he could work with the reinstated officials for the benefits of the people.
Against the backdrop of an alleged illegal dissolution of all chairmen and councillors elected during the administration of former governor Abiola Ajimobi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Muhammad Adamu, had to intervene in the matter with respect to the verdict of the apex court, which negated the action taken by Governor Makinde.
In a statement issued yesterday and made available to reporters in Ibadan by its Assistant Publicity Secretary, Prince Ayobami Adejumo, APC decried what it called “unprovoked and needless disruption of smooth running of democracy at the local government level of the state by the new PDP administration on account of bad politicking and pursuit of selfish agenda.”
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“As normalcy is gradually returning to all the 33 local governments and 35 local council development areas with the return of validly elected officials to their offices, we urge the government to desist from further action capable of putting Oyo State in the news for the negative reasons. No amount of bad politicking will change the dictates of the nation’s constitution as well as the rule of law.
“Except in places like Ibadan North and Ibadan North East where a group of miscreants, mobilised by the PDP, stopped the elected officials from gaining access to their offices, as they also chased away policemen deployed to perform their duties, feelers from across the state indicated that the reinstatement directives were well carried out.
“Across Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun, Oyo, Ibarapa and most parts of Ibadan geopolitical zones of the state, those elected to administer the affairs of local government councils and local council development areas have resumed work and we expect them to hit the ground running since much is expected from them by those who elected and handed them a three-year mandate on May 12, 2018.
“We are aware of the agitation for a redress on the eight months of their mandate taken away by the PDP government with its sack order and illegal appointment of caretaker chairmen in their place, but we can assure them that this will be addressed in due course by the judiciary, which we believe, as a progressive party, remains the last hope of the common man.
“Therefore, we are using this opportunity to appeal for calm, as we call for dialogue with Governor Makinde on how he can work with the reinstated officials for the benefits of the good people of the state. We urge security agencies to forestall further attacks against our party faithful across the state by the PDP thugs, while efforts are being made to prosecute those behind maiming of innocent people in parts of Ibadan on Monday and Tuesday,” APC said.
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