•I remain chairman, says Balogun-Fulani
Stakeholders across the three senatorial districts of Kwara State have insisted on the dissolution of the Ishola Balogun-Fulani led executive of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Though they recognised the Bashir Bolarinwa faction, they also ordered for its dissolution to allow a level playing field for fresh members to the party.
Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed read the resolution in Oro, Irepodun Local Government Area.
The resolution reads: “That the Balogun Fulani-led Kwara APC executive committee be dissolved and a fresh congress that will include all members and new ones, be held at the various levels to constitute a new executive.
“That those who got appointments by deceit, hiding under the facade of being party men and women, should immediately resign such appointments or be fired.
“That the recent gale of defections has now put the APC in a position of true majority in the National Assembly, as those who remain are the ones who are truly committed to the ideals of our party.
“That all members and supporters of our party restate their support for President Muhammadu Buhari, and assure him of a harvest of votes from Kwara State in the 2019 elections.
“That all members should remain calm because there is no cause for alarm.”
Stakeholders at the meeting include serving members of the House of Assembly – Prince Saheed Popoola; Bashir Bolarinwa; APC Governorship aspirant from Kwara North Yamman Abdullahi, among others.
But Balogun-Fulani, chairman of the faction loyal to Senate President Bukola Saraki, has said he remains the authentic party chair.
He said the planned dissolution of his exco is null and void.
Balogun-Fulani, in a statement, said: “I remain the authentic chairman of APC in Kwara state. My executive committee members were duly elected for four years. Myself and other members of the committee remain members of the party.
“Last Wednesday, I attended a meeting of APC State chairmen forum in Abuja. We were not aware of any APC stakeholders’ meeting in Oro, as neither myself nor the Kwara South chairman, Jimoh Balogun, convened or attended the meeting.
“We, therefore, urge members to remain calm and discountenance the statement credited to Lai Mohammed.”