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  • Southwest APC and challenge of mobilising for future polls

    Southwest APC and challenge of mobilising for future polls

    Former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi spoke on the journey of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southwest during the Zonal Assembly in Lagos and highlights steps its leaders should take so that the party can maintain its hold on its acclaimed stronghold. Excerpts:

    As a foundation member, and one of the many actors who worked tirelessly to help create the APC out of a coalition of like-minded parties and actors united by a progressive and forward-looking commitment to national unity and transformation, There have been several attempts at building progressive coalitions in our country but none has been as successful as the All Progressives Congress. During the First Republic, the United Progressive Grand Alliance was established by a group of opposition parties to try to wrest power from the ruling Nigeria National Alliance. During the second Republic, the Progressive Peoples Alliance was established as a coalition of opposition parties that joined forces to take on the ruling National Party of Nigeria. However, these efforts at building a coalition of progressive forces faltered and failed to achieve their ultimate objective of winning power. Our party, the APC, is the first successful merger of political parties in the history of Nigeria not only to stay united but also to win power. In the previous instances, progressive alliances failed for a number of reasons. These include the deployment by ruling parties of various tactics to destabilise the progressive bloc, doing so through the use of money, thuggery and the manipulation of personality rivalries and differences among the key actors in the progressive camp. There was also a basic lack of good faith and mutual trust among the parties attempting to coalesce, and an unwillingness among the key actors to abnegate and sacrifice for the greater good.  Not surprisingly, those alliances were subverted by chronic infighting and personality clashes. Matters were not helped by poor internal organisation, a lack of institutional coherence, and various financial deficiencies.

    Among the various successes we have recorded are: the massive leadership we have shown in the development of the national infrastructure, the makings of a national social policy system, the unleashing of a national innovation system, the reinvigoration of long-term, multi-year development planning and investment, and the facilitation of the creative industry, to cite just a few. These initiatives have been further deepened, most recently, by many policies on tax reforms, students loans, consumer credit, climate change mitigation and adaptation, the easing of the requirements for doing business, and power sector reforms whose benefits are gradually beginning to materialise. As a social democratic party, we promoted the ideals of government as a catalyst for development and not a mere bystander that seeks to sell off public assets. Additionally, we have fulfilled our 2015 manifesto promise of establishing regional economic development hubs in all zones of the country, the last of which is the South West Development Commission recently passed into law by the National Assembly. In our view, the adoption of regional integration strategies based on progressive economic principles are a sine qua non for the transformation of Nigeria’s political economy to enable the country take its rightful place in the comity of nations at the forefront of human progress.  It is our expectation that these development commissions will help achieve the desired objective of accelerated economic development in the various zones. So, we have every reason to be proud of the various achievements we have registered, and party officials and members at all levels should feel encouraged to speak to them at every opportunity.

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    Challenges

    There have, however, also been challenges of differing magnitudes, and which are not always of our making, that have either obstructed us or even thwarted some of our noble plans and stymied some of the gains we registered. Not least among these challenges is the security situation in the country, a problem we inherited and which has continued to be a source of immense worry for all Nigerians, and rightly so. Understandably, the security question remains a topmost priority for President Tinubu. Added to this are adverse domestic pressures and external shocks on the economy that have exacerbated the cost of living, and affected our quest to massively dent unemployment, especially as it affects the teeming population of young people. We are also confronted with the task of stabilising the exchange rate of our national currency even as concerted efforts are being made to erode the parallel market, increase the capital budget in our national expenditure profile, and meet our various international obligations. These are not problems that are easy to tackle, especially as the roots of many of them date back to the locust years of the PDP and resolving them requires time, patience, and understanding. It is correct that as the ruling party, we must confront them frontally without forgetting that we also owe a duty to explain our remedial and reform measures with all the empathy and humility that we can muster.

    The import of the foregoing is simple: While we can be proud of the road we have travelled since 2015, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels as a party or be complacent about anything. It is imperative that we openly and honestly acknowledge current challenges and develop a coherent and comprehensive plan that can enable us to confront them. This we must do by resolutely learning lessons of experience. We should also be ready to mobilise ourselves for the urgent and necessary task of rebuilding the hope of our compatriots both in Project Nigeria and in our ability as a party committed to leading the charge against underdevelopment, disunity, and insecurity. Without being defensive or unduly apologetic, we must dig deep to find that combination of humility, a sense of public service, an uncommon courage, and a tenacity of purpose to drive a shared national vision. These qualities served us so well in 2015 as to enable us to write an important new chapter in our national electoral history. They can and will serve us well again if we re-commit to them.

    I am convinced that the APC remains the party that is best placed to carry forward the unfinished agenda of our national renewal to which we committed as a united body of compatriots coming from all parts of Nigeria. And as our leader and the President of the Federal Republic is working with his team to  uphold those ideals under the Renewed Hope agenda, it is absolutely important that we as party members must commit and, as needed, recommit ourselves to assisting him in realizing the ideals. In doing so, I am also acutely aware of the need for us to continue to nurture internal party democracy operationalised within the boundaries of civil contestation of ideas, robust debates around policy alternatives, and responsible dissent. In this connection, we must work with our elected officials from the ward to the national level to ensure that our members are actively socialised into our vision, principles, programmes, and policies. Mechanisms for strengthening the resource base and rewards system of the party should be improved upon so that elected officials, employees, volunteers, and members who service our various structures are able to carry out their work with predictability, integrity, and consistency and not reduced to supplicants at the tables of political appointees. Invigorating our elected party structures will also involve a much closer attention to our programmes and policies. The President and members of the executive branch of government must also create avenues to listen more  to feedback from the grassroots and provide vehicles for party members to ventilate well-considered concerns  about policies and programmes.

    I believe that we in the South West should set the example by committing ourselves to ensuring that every year, our zonal party convenes a policy conference to review the progress we have made in carrying out our programmes and recalibrating our objectives and strategy in accordance with changing needs and circumstances. The recent launching of the APC Institute by the current national leadership of the party is a highly commendable initiative which we should take full advantage of by using it effectively for the induction, training, and retooling of our officials, and for the purpose of next generation leadership grooming and mentorship. Furthermore, our governors should deepen the use of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) and the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission as formidable resources for embedded but autonomous policy advice in the administration of national affairs and the promotion of baseline standards in the management of the states controlled by our party.

    Similar platforms for the Speakers of our State Houses of Assembly and Chairs of our local government councils should become active fora for consultation, coordination, and harmonisation. An active caucus between our leaders in the party’s National Secretariat and the zones, the National Assembly, and key actors in the Presidency should be activated and formalized  to ensure that the party and its officials in the executive and legislative arms of government work in concert.

    In order to renew and extend our position as a credible political force worthy of continuing to enjoy the respect and support of Nigerians in a season of uncertainty and polycrisis such as is being experienced around the world, we should spare no effort to ensure that we win the fight that must be fought with tenacity against insecurity, banditry, unemployment, poverty, inequality, threats of national disintegration, and lawlessness. To this end, working with other key leaders of the party, we must come up with workable strategies to assist our government. The renewal of the capacity, agility, and credibility of the key institutions of state must necessarily be accompanied with comprehensive policy initiatives designed to tackle the roots of the problems that have continued to wrack our country and test the faith of the citizenry. Our party, particularly in the south west should commit to the facilitation of wealth and employment creation for our people, the expansion of our national social security and skills acquisition policies to enhance human development, the wholesale revamp of our national educational system to ensure it is fit for purpose, and the intensive fostering of measures aimed at expanding inclusivity for those who are objectively marginalized in the polity. In this regard, we owe it to ourselves and our people to ensure that our women, the youth, and people living with disability who represent some of our greatest national assets must be judiciously developed and utilised for the good of our country. The APC, as the party of Nigeria, has a duty to also be the champion of women, the promoter of youth, and the defender of people living with disability, as our party manifesto and constitution espoused comprehensively. That’s why we must also commend the President for announcing the national conversation on youth matters in his independence anniversary speech a few days ago.  Our youth should mobilise and take advantage of the opportunity.

  • Challenges facing Southwest APC

    Challenges facing Southwest APC

    The Southwest chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is predominantly a haven of progressives — and latter-day converts — battling for control of the six states. The region’s politics has always paraded a galaxy of progressives. This fulfills Awo’s prediction of alignment and realignment of forces in the power struggle. Today, at least, 40 percent of Southwest APC comprises defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The defection has implications for the harmonisation of party structures and sharing of political opportunities.

    The regional chapter is also a zone of partisan political conflict, which is normal. The path to power is laced with thorns and acrimony, competition and antagonism. However, its experience in last year’s presidential election showed that it lost some ground to the opposition due to deep-seated acrimony, lack of reconciliation and inadequate preparation. In some chapters, party leaders took some things for granted. It proved to be a costly mistake.

    The APC and the four major opposition parties – PDP, Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) – are engulfed in crises. What is keeping the APC intact in some states is the consciousness of the fact that it is the ruling party at the centre. Indeed, this status is an advantage. But as the PDP takes its peace moves seriously, APC should not handle reconciliation with levity. It could be risky.

    In fact, the National Reconciliation Committee of the ruling party should swing into action. There are crisis-ridden chapters that need urgent attention beyond the Southwest. These include Plateau, Taraba, Gombe, Zamfara, Enugu, Benue, Bayelsa, and Rivers.

    However, the Southwest is the primary base of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, although the country is now his constituency as the Commander-in-Chief. It should be noted that the votes for APC in last year’s presidential poll were fewer than what it garnered in 2019. This is food for thought.

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    The party had previously lost power in Osun State due to the unresolved crisis between the Oranmiyan and Ilerioluwa forces that worked at cross purpose. Both camps are still licking their wounds. They are left in the cold, outside of power. But there is no sign that supporters of Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola are ready to sheathe their swords.

    The party structure is beyond the reach of Oranmiyan. But Ilerioluwa needs more efforts to cross all the inevitable hurdles on the way to the State House without the input of Oranmiyan. Governor Ademola “Dancer” Adeleke is enough trouble. But the foes within can do more damage by subverting or undermining party efforts. Osun APC is currently a divided house that cannot stand. It needs to bring everybody back into the fold through negotiation, logic, skill, and reconciliation.

    The greatest goal of Oranmiyan is to ensure that Ilerioluwa does not make it the second time. Only a timely intervention of the party’s national leaders can bring the two camps to the table of brotherhood.

    In Oyo, the party lost due to poor strategy and a weak structure that was reduced to rubble by the PDP machine. Internal bickering, lack of trust and agreement, and post-primary crisis polarised the party. A section of the party defected briefly to contest on the platform of a mushroom party. The supporters of Teslim Folarin and Adebayo Adelabu went their separate ways. Both camps failed on poll day. The Oyo chapter has not recovered fully from defeat. There is no evidence to prove that the two antagonistic camps are prepared to combine their strengths.

    A pervasive trend in Southwest is the habit of asking some supporters to conduct election in other parties. That was the style of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and former Governor Amosun in 2019, while they still remained as APC leaders in their respective states. These anti-party activities are injurious.

    Apart from Ekiti State, other chapters have unresolved crises. It is a credit to the maturity and understanding on the part of Ekiti APC gladiators that the chapter is the most peaceful. Former Governors Kayode Fayemi, Segun Oni, and Niyi Adebayo appear to have mounted a protective wall around Governor Biodun Oyebanji. The style of the incumbent governor has contributed to the tranquility in the chapter. Oyebanji is determined to also sustain the tempo of performance. There are feelers that few aspirants are warming up. This is normal in politics. It may be for a spoiler role, which would be instantly checked. But the few contenders may also put their hats in the ring for attention-seeking or relevance. Altogether, it is not a purely bad strategy. But if anyone comes out to compete for the governorship ticket with Oyebanji in 2026, the ambition of the contender will crumble. It will not fly. This is because of the way the governor has conducted himself, handled the party and governed the state.

    In Ogun State, there is a clash of egos. Personality clashes between former Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Governor Dapo Abiodun on the one hand and the rift between the governor and Senator Gbenga Daniel, a former governor, on the other hand, point to unfinished reconciliation in the Gateway chapter. The distrust permeated the party in Ogun during the last governorship election. There were allegations, accusations, and counter-claims. The rift also has its roots in the future ambition of certain gladiators, particularly their contrasting senatorial ambitions.

    In Ondo State, which is preparing for an election on November 16, former governorship aspirants are grumbling. But efforts are being made to mend fences. A major task there now is the governorship campaign structure that should reflect the harmonisation of interests and forces in the state.

    In Lagos State, it was too bad that last year, APC was defeated by the Labour Party (LP) during the presidential election. It was highly disgraceful. Party men, particularly youths and women, never mobilised for the exercise. They also refused to be mobilised. As cracks appeared on the wall, enemies sneaked in.

    A political drama was staged last year after the governorship poll. The governor sent the list of commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly. It was rejected. The governor and the lawmakers are members of the same APC. It meant that a deep gulf existed. Eight days ago, when the governor, who is the coordinator of Southwest governors, convened the zonal meeting in Lagos, the lawmakers shunned the meeting held at Eko Hotels on Victoria Island. No explanation was given. There was no representation. Therefore, something is fishy in Lago De Kuramo. When the executive and legislature are at loggerheads, progress can be hampered. There is a need for cooperation, collaboration, understanding, and harmony, even in an atmosphere of separation of powers and checks and balances.

    National party elders should wade into the repressed hostility. If not, it would blow open and draw negative attention to the Lagos chapter.

    Last week’s stakeholders’ meeting of the Southwest APC revealed the extent of unfinished business of reconciliation in the entire region. It is very bad that the zonal leadership was not able to call a meeting for a year and six months. What would have been responsible? Has there been a lack of institutional memory or funding? It is during meetings that ideas are generated, grievances are laid before the leadership, committees are raised, mobilisation is fine-tuned and strategies are resolved.

    In the regional history of the progressive bloc, the stakeholders’ meetings were in layers – governors, party chairmen, Speakers and lawmakers, women and youth wings. There was an exchange of ideas and strategies. At such meetings, support was given to the regional integration agenda.

    The recent meeting of the regional chapter became an avenue for the ventilation of accumulated grievances arising from the alleged distortion of the reward system in the party, the detachment of public officeholders from the party structure and the collapse of party supremacy.

    Unlike in the days of the defunct AG, UPN and SDP, there is now a curious preference for technocrats to serve as commissioners and special advisers, leaving party men who laboured during the campaigns and elections in the cold. The technocrats are highly effective and efficient in the discharge of their public duties. But they owe no allegiance to the party that gave birth to the government that offered them the appointments. In the next round of elections, the technocrats are off the slippery political field, unmindful of the toil and labour of politicians to sustain the party in power.

    The way out is for the governors, and even the president, to evolve a system that would be a blend of politicians and technocrats. Many party chieftains are adamant that the APC parades technocrats with intimidating credentials, but being politicians should never be a bane.

    Also, delegates to the Lagos meeting complained about lack of access to those who rode on the back of the party to power. They complained about dwindling aggressive mobilisation for membership, the disenchantment of party youths against the leadership, and inadequate engagement and empowerment of youths and women. A delegate called for the appointment of Presidential Liaison Officers (PLOs) by the president to liaise with party members at the grassroots. He complained that what the president had been sending to the party never got to the lower rungs. It was a protest, an indictment and a vote of no confidence in state party executives by ordinary party folks who believe that their leaders are in comfort zones to their exclusion and the crumbs falling off their tables are beyond reach.

    Many party chieftains are also fond of washing the dirty linen of the platform in public. There is a communication gap. Party leaders who are conversant with governance issues are not explaining certain government policies and programmes that cause transient pains to party members and followers. Open criticisms of the party and its governments in the public by aggrieved stalwarts, no matter their grievances, smack of indiscipline. Some even criticise the president and peddle falsehoods. Thus, the governor of Ekiti called for decorum, saying the Southwest should treasure what it has. He added that after the current president, it will take many years before the zone can produce another president.

    The zonal party has an unfinished battle, not only in Osun but also in Oyo State, which slipped from its grip in the post-Ajimobi era. Again, the baseline is the return of unity in those distressed state chapters.

    The Southwest APC should be bothered about two other things. An international organisation has warned about the growing number of school dropouts. Also, the Yoruba language is facing a risk of extinction. Yoruba youths are jettisoning the time-tested virtues of Omoluabi the older generation was noted for. They indulge in vices, including kidnapping, yahoo yahoo and ritual killings. This is bad for the image of the region.

    It is good news that there is going to be a Southwest Development Commission. The headquarters has not been determined. Many believe it would be a model for other regional agencies. The party’s regional body has a big role to play in making the Southwest a national model as the Great Awo did until his demise. There are still many fine politicians in the region as there were in the First and Second Republics. What APC needs to do is fine-tune the style of governance of those periods to align with modernity and reality. This is how the Southwest will continue to remain the model for other regions in all ramifications.

    A ruling party is not only about ensuring good governance. It is also about showing direction for the people to follow in their march towards a harmonious life and accelerated development. That is what the APC should work for in the Southwest.

  • Southwest APC: mobilising for future polls

    Southwest APC: mobilising for future polls

    The Southwest All Progressives Congress (APC) is not sleeping on guard. At its stakeholders’s meeting in Lagos, delegates from the six states examined how the party has fared during and after last year’s general election and resolved to draw lessons from past mistakes as they commence mobilisation for future elections. Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU reports.

    •Osoba, Oyebanji, Aiyedatiwa urge support for Tinubu
    •‘How Southwest motivated Asiwaju to vie for president’

    The Southwest All Progressives Congress (APC) is trying to put its house in order ahead of future elections. At its stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, party leaders resolved to strengthen regional unity, settle crisis tearing the fold apart and reinvigorate its reconciliation mechanism.

    The regional chapter applauded the National Assembly for passing the Southwest Development Commission Bill into law. It also lauded President Bola Tinubu for embarking on bold economic reforms aimed at fixing the country.

    The chapter said there should more regular meetings of party leaders in the zone for review and interface with chieftains in public service.

    The meeting convened by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is the coordinator, was attended by his colleagues-Prince Dapo Abiodun(Ogun State), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti) and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo). Former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi gave the keynote address.

    Also at the meeting held at Eko Hotel,Victoria, were party elders-former Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, former Ekiti State Governor Niyi Adebayo, Prince Oluyole Olusi, Pa Olorunfunmi Basorun, Pa Busura Alebiosu, Pa Abiodun Ogunleye and Chief Alake Adeyemo,former deputy governor of Oyo State- and zonal officers, led by Isaacs Kekemeke, APC National Vice Chairman (Southwest).

    Sanwo-Olu urged Southwest to support the Tinubu administration so that it can realise its goals for the country.

    Noting that some members may be aggrieved that they were not accommodated by the reward system, he urged them to embrace peace, unity and reconciliation so that the party will not fall prey into the antics of the opposition.

    Oyebanji, Aiyedatiwa, and elderstatesman Aremo  Osoba urged the people of the Southwest to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Osoba, an All Progressives Congress (APC) elder, said the president deserved the support of the zone because the region motivated him to vie for the highest office in the land.

    Oyebanji said after President Tinubu, it will take time for Southwest to produce another president.

    Thanking Sanwo-Olu for hosting the meeting, the Ekiti governor called for support for President Tinubu, instead of criticising him.

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    He stressed:”Our members should not criticise the president in the public. We should treasure our own. We can pass our messages to him through our leaders. We dont know when Southwest will have the opportunity to have another president after Tinubu.”

    Aiyedatiwa, who led delegates in singing the Southwest anthem said the government of the six states should support regional integration.

    He said: “We have to do a lot for our people in terms of service delivery. We should consider regional integration. Our youths should be encouraged and empowered to occupy strategic positions. We should encourage agriculture. We should support our president. “

    Osoba said Southwest should support President Tinubu because the region motivated him to vie for president.

    He recalled that the zone had advised Tinubu to vie for president 17 years ago at a meeting in Lagos attended by Pa Olusi and Pa Busura Alebiosu.

    He said:”We asked him to move from state politicking to national politics. We, Yoruba, sent him on an errand to Abuja. We worked and Abiola did not get there. President Bola Tinubu is there now. He may have his weaknesses. Let us rally round him.”

    Osoba also urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration in its bid to reposition Nigeria.

    He said:”By May 29, last year, no kobo was left behind for subsidy. Those who lost the 2023 election are still campaigning. We cannot keep quiet.”

    Osoba called for unity and cohesion in the region, adding that “there is need for continuous meeting of national and state caucuses.”

    He said the regional chapter should restore regular meetings as it was done in the days of Olatunji Hamzat, former zonal leader.

    Osoba thanked the APC governors for maintaining security in their states. He said the mobilisation for future polls should start from Ondo by supporting Aiyedatiwa to win.

    Former Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande said Tinubu is president for Nigeria to be better.

    He complained that while he rushed down from London to atend the meeting of the National Caucus, it was postponed.

    Urging the zonal leadership to accord priority to regular meetings, he said if party meetings are not held and government is not interfacing with the party, there will be disconnection.

    Olusi said the practice of regular meetings for review and feedback had been discarded by new party leaders.

    Olusi said:”I was in the National Assembly before and i blew grammar there. It was in the days of Awolowo.  Lam Adesina was our secretary. I was the deputy secretary. Party would give you guidance. We don’t do it now. We should start doing it.

    “I was National Vice Chairman, Southwest after Senator Ayo Fasanmi. We were holding meetings. It is not governor that carries the load of the party. It is the party. You cannot be governor without the party. I suggest that we should have a committee to organise meetings.”

    The APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru said the region should work to win Osun and Oyo states in the next governorship polls.

    He added:”We should be meeting and mobilising regularly to showcase the achievements of our president and governors. Our opponents are spending huge amount of money to tarnish the inage of our party.

    “We need to update our party register. We need to make use of the APC Progressive Institute set up to enlighten our members on political mobilisation.”

    Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele told the meeting that the Southest Development Commission Bill has been passed by the National Assembly in the spirit of equity and fairness.

    He thanked lawmakers from the Southwest for uniting to see it through, irrespective of their political leanings.

    Bamidele said 15 of 18 senators from the region belong to APC, adding that the numerical strength has given them the influence they had deployed constructively.

    He also said “all our pursuits in the National are in tandem with the goals of our party.”

    Urging unity, he said:”We must meet regularly to strengthen our regional unity and give public office holders the platform for rendering their stewardship.”

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun said Southwest should x-ray what happened in the last election in the zone.

    Noting that no everyone can be in government, he added: “We must pay attention to the welfare of the party members. We must unite.”

    APC National Youth Leader Dayo Israel lamented that party youths worked against the party in ignorance during the last election. He called for a special synergy between the party leadership and the youths.

    Former Minister, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, said many people were blaming party leaders at the grassroots for mobilising them to support the party in last year’s election because of the current hardship, urging government to speed up the implementation of programmes that would bring relief.

    She added:”We need security in the rural areas for people to farm. Government should assist farmers with implements.

    Former Osun State Deputy Governor Titi Laoye-Tomori said APC women were ready to be mobilised, urging the party to always give them a sense of belonging.

    A delegate to the meeting called for the appointment of Presidential Liaison Officers (PLOs) by President Tinubu.

    He said:”What the president is sending to party people is not getting down.”

    APC National Vice Chairman (Southwest) Isaacs Kekemeke thanked the convener, Sanwo-Olu, for his dedication, leadership, sacrifices and support in ensuring the realisation of the meeting.

    He commended President Tinubu for his courage, single mindedness and unwavering commitment to tackling head-on the maladies that had stalled national progress.

    Kekemeke also commended Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti governors for their landmark accomplishments. The zonal leader said the region was proud of the legislative activities of its state and federal lawmakers.

    He recalled that Southwest came second in last year’s presidential poll with 2,279,007 votes, representing 55.82 percent. The figure represented a shorfall, compared to the 2019 election.

    Kekemeke said while elected and appointed officials were budy with the arduous task of deluvering quality services to tbeir constituents and deepening physical, social and economic development in their mandate areas, the party must begin to think about the next election.

    He stressed: “We must deliver in an overwhelming way for Mr. President in 2027. We must move from our second position in 2023 to first position in 2027. It is time to engage with the very informed and enlightened people of the Southwest, our hardworking and loyal women and our ever vibrant and articulate youth,on the laudable and progressive ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of Mr. President and the various forward looking development programmes of our governors.”

    However, Kekemeke said efforts should be made to to resolve the minor skirmishes among party leaders in the Southwest states.

    He said:”It is time for our elders and leaders to help shore up the party’s mediatory capacity to resolve such little personality disputations so that all stakeholders are on the same page for the work ahead.”

    Delegates from the six states were concerned that the Lagos State House of Assembly members were not present at the meeting, making them to wonder whether there is any unresolved rift between the executive and the legislative arms.

    The meeting became an avennue for the ventilation of accumulated grievances arising from the alleged distortion of reward system in the party, detachment of public office holders from the party structure and collapse of party supremacy.

    Delegates complained about lack of regular meetings, lack of access to those who rode on the back of the party to power, dwindling aggressive mobilisation for membership mobilisation, disenchantment of party youths against the party leadership ,and inadequate engagement and Empowerment of youths and women.

    The party chieftains wondered why Yoruba youths were jettisoning the time-tested virtues of Omoluabi for which the older generation was noted for.

    However, it was resolved that the region should double its support for the Tinubu administration in its efforts at tackling the mounting socio-economic and political challenges affecting the nation.

    Fayemi, who delved into the history of APC, said it was the first successful merger and coalition of progressive forces that stayed united and won power.

    After reviewing the challenges confronting the party, he said: “Mechanisms for strengthening the resource base and rewards system of the party should be improved upon so that elected officials, employees, volunteers, and members who service our various structures are able to carry out their work with predictability, integrity, and consistency and not reduced to supplicants at the tables of political appointees.”

    He also suggested the nurturing of the internal democracy and crisis resolution mechanism in the party, adding that leadership should also attach value to feedback mechanism and ventilation of grievances.

    The president, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, promised to take action on the issues raised and decisions taken at the Assembly.

    Noting that every politician has his root, he described the Southwest as his cherished political base and constituency.

     President Tinubu suggested that the zonal chapter should organise the meeting three times in a year to provide an interface between party members and those in government.

    The president, who spoke on his achievements, said the pains of his reforms were not intentional, adding that they are temporary.

    At the meeting were Akinwunmi Ambode, Dayo Adeyeye, Ibikunle Amosun, Gboyega Oyetola, Kayode Fayemi, Ajayi Boroffice, Tony Adefuye, Joke Orelope-Adefulire, Adegboyega Famodu, Obafemi Hamzat, Shuaibu Oyedokun, James Faleke, Sarah Sosan, Tayo Ayinde, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, Jamiu Ekungba, Yele Omoguwa, Olamiju Alao-Akala, Sola Iji, James Odunmbaku, Ganiyu Solomon, Musiliu Obanikoro, Olufemi Pedro, Rabiu Oluwa, Yemi Ikuforiji, Wale Raji, Akanni Seriki Bamu, Yomi Finnih, Isiak Akinlade, Karounwi Oladapo, Femi Ogunbanwo, Gbenga Kaka, Yemi Ali, Ayodele Adewale, Gbenga Omotoso, Isiak Salako, Tunde Alade Balogun, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, Ade Adetimehin, Yemi Sanusi, Olayide Abass, Tajudeen Lawal, Sola Eleshin, Cornelius Ojelabi, Bunmi Adetunmbi, Segun Adesegun, Omolola Ade-John, Ademola Adetokunbo, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, Yetunde Ogundipe, Tolu Odebiyi, Senator Salisu, Adebayo Adelabu, Babajide Omoworare, Dayo Adeyeye, Ayo Arise, Teslim Folarin, Remi Oseni, Musbau Oyefeso, Hon. Famurewa, Kafilat Ogbara, Ayo Afolabi, Olagunju Ojo, Niyi Babalola (Jaco), Toke Benson, Donald Ojogo, Bankole Oluwajana, Kayode Opeifa, and Muritala Seriki,Tolu Bankole, Bunmi Ajayi-Oriniowo, Femi Egbedeyi, Vincent Bewaji, Alex Kalejaye, Olabisi Kolawole, Yetunde Adesanya, Funmilayo Tejuoso, Moshood Erubami, Lawal Kolade Paff, Lateef Ibirogba, Olumide Osoba, Bose Olojo, and Segun Olulade.

    In its communique, the zonal chapter resolved to support the administration of President Tinubu in his effort to revamp the economy and put Nigeria on the path of prosperity.

    Other resolutions are as follows:

    “There should be regular meetings of party structures at all levels, in particular, The Southwest Assembly must meet at least on quarterly basis and that the meeting must be sustained.

    “There must be regular and continuous interface between elected and appointed officials of the government from the zone and the party structures.

    “A high powered committee must be set up to regularly evaluate the party activities in the region, to ensure the administration promises to the people are kept

    “There must be regular engagement of party stakeholders with particular attention given to the Youth  and Women.

    “ Deliberate and intentional plans must be put in place for future election

    “Sustain the dreams and vision of our past leaders and founding fathers that birthed the excellence of Southwest.

    “Improved and strategic communication at all levels to enlightened the citizenry the good works of the administration.

    “ Set up a functional zonal secretariat for operational management and support.

    “Data collation and management must be an integral part of party operations and activities.

    “Investment in agriculture/food security, youth/women empowerment and job creation must be at the front burner of the regional development agenda  in the zone.”

  • Southwest APC moves to avert proposed protest

    Southwest APC moves to avert proposed protest

    The southwest chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged leaders of the region, including traditional rulers, opposition party leaders, elites, union leaders, market women, students, and religious leaders to safeguard the socio-economic interests of the area by preventing any violent protests.

    The party acknowledged every Nigerian’s constitutional right to peaceful protest.

    The APC noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has initiated measures to provide a new socio-economic direction aimed at ensuring prosperity and abundance for all Nigerians.

    In a statement released after an emergency meeting and signed by the National Vice Chairman (Southwest) of the party, Hon Isaacs Kekemeke, it was emphasized that party members in the region are also experiencing the current pains and hardships in the country.

    The statement pleaded with Nigerians to bear the temporary hardships and pains with patience and equanimity and assured that ‘these pains would give way to meaningful livelihood for all Nigerians.’

    It read: “The party in the zone urge all State chapters of the Party in the Southwest to continue to sensitize members of the Party and the public in their States on the need to keep the peace and tranquility in the region.

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    “We call on government officials from the Zone who are politicians to return to their various base to interface and explain government’s sincere motives to their people.

    “Government officials from the Zone who are politicians to return to their various base to interface and explain government’s sincere motives to their people.

    “We unequivocally condemn.the call for change of democratically elected government outside of periodic election and other legally provided procedures, as unconstitutional, illegal, undemocratic and provocative. Election losers, their supporters, and sympathisers must learn to wait for the next round of elections.”

  • Southwest APC congratulates ex-minister

    The Southwest chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated Dr Fayemi for his victory in the Wednesday election for the chairmanship of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Fayemi won the contest to lead the forum of the 36 governors for the next four years.

    A statement in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, by the region’s APC spokesman Karounwi Oladapo said Fayemi’s victory demonstrated the nationwide acceptance of the Ekiti State governor as a bridge-builder among his colleagues and a general acknowledgement that he presents a hope as a unifying factor in a bitterly divisive polity.

    The statement also acknowledged him as having the capacity to shape the nation’s destiny for good among the new breed of emerging leaders in Nigeria.

    It said: “Governor Fayemi’s victory in the contest for this sensitive position is an acknowledgement of his brilliance, respect for his leadership qualities and capacity as a man with a clear vision for a greater Nigeria.

    “It is also an acknowledgement of the mass appeal and acceptance he enjoys among his colleagues across party lines.

    “Fayemi, in his first term as the governor of Ekiti State, recorded several landmarks in the state development’s history.

    “Four years after leaving office, his accomplishments remain evergreen in the state’s growth index, which he topped with record-breaking exploits in the nation’s mining and solid mineral industry as the Minister for Mines and Steel Development when he took the sector from zero level to become one of the biggest revenue earners for the nation.”

    Noting that Fayemi’s success in the Mining sector marked his ingenuity in tackling tough challenges, the Southwest APC said it was confident that the governor would also deploy his “brilliance and creative energies” to re-engineer the governors’ forum for better productivity and cultivate a new spirit of understanding among the governors for better performance for the good of all Nigerians.

    “The APC in the Southwest can vouch that Fayemi, as one of the emerging African stars in governance, will unleash his creative spirit and resilient energies to create new frontiers in modern governance and set a fresh template in representative democracy not just for Nigeria but also for the benefit of the Black race,” the statement said.

    He added that Fayemi would replicate the Southwest’s economic integration strategy he led in the zone at the national level for the benefit of all Nigerians.

    Southwest APC said: “It is on record that Fayemi introduced social security for the vulnerable in Ekiti State in 2010, which is today being replicated at the Federal level in form of social investment programmes for the benefit of all Nigerians.

    “It is hoped that his colleagues across party lines will key into these initiatives for the benefit of their people.”

     

  • Southwest APC, Osun Assembly congratulate Oyetola

    The Southwest Zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Osun State House of Assembly yesterday congratulated Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola on his victory at the Appeal Court.

    The Osun State Election Petitions Tribunal had in March declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ademola Adeleke, as the winner of the September 22 and 29 election. But a five-member appeal panel upturned the lower tribunal’s judgment on Thursday, affirming Oyetola’s victory.

    Oyetola’s victory was affirmed by the majority judgement.

    APC’s spokesman in the Southwest, Oladapo Karounwi, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti, said Oyetola deserved victory in an election considered free and fair by local and international observers, adding that they praised the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) for conducting one of the best elections in Osun State.

    The party also praised the Appeal Court judges for their meticulous consideration of Oyetola’s appeal, explaining that the verdict could not have gone any other way considering the lapses in both the hearing of the petition at the lower tribunal and obvious weakness in the judgment declaring Adeleke the winner.

    Karounwi said: “We knew that a superior court of jurisdiction will nullify the lower tribunal’s judgement declaring Adeleke the winner when a judge that did not sit during the entire hearing was brought to deliver its judgment to give PDP’s candidate victory.

    “Besides, we also knew that the Appeal Court will dismiss Adeleke’s victory when the lower tribunal took it upon itself to be deducting APC’s votes in disputed units, thus usurping the power of INEC in such exercise, which both the Appeal Court and Supreme Court had frowned at in various elections petitions.

    “This judgment is a victory for democracy and rule of law and not the rule of men through which PDP had in the past illegally usurped the people’s mandates at gunpoint in South West states, thus denying the people their right to elect their leaders.”

    In a statement issued by its Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Hon Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the the Osun State House of Assembly described the judgment of the Court of Appeal as a resounding one and a triumph for democracy.

    The State Assembly eulogised the Appeal Court judges for being thorough on their verdict, saying the court has again proven itself to be the hope of the masses.

    According to the parliament, the verdict was a victory for democracy and the people of Osun State who spoke through the ballot and chose Governor Oyetola as their preferred leader.

    The wild jubilation and joy expressed by the residents of the state sequel to the judgement, according to the Assembly, has also buttressed the acceptability of the governor.

    While expressing confidence in the Judiciary, the parliament said the judgement would enable the governor to focus on the business of governance.

    The Assembly also appreciated the leadership of the party at state and national levels for their support during the case.

    Assuring the governor of support by the legislative arm of government in the state, the assembly stressed: “We would support the governor on every programme outlined towards the progress of the state without prejudice or compromise.

    “This is paramount as the development of our dear state is our priority,” the statement said.

  • Southwest APC urges Oyo chapter to plan for 2023

    THE Southwest Zone of All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged members in Oyo State to restrategise towards winning the next general elections.

    In a statement by its Zonal Secretary, Mr. Ayo Afolabi, the party hailed the efforts of party leaders and members in the just concluded election

    It urged them to shake off the party’s loss in the state and work harder to reposition it for the next general elections.

    It also congratulated elected candidates on its platform in the just concluded National Assembly, governorship and state assembly elections across Southwest states.

    Afolabi expressed deep gratitude to the party’s supporters in the region, particularly those who voted to ensure the electoral victory of its successful candidates and promised a renewed commitment to the party’s manifesto.

    “We congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Governors-elect Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dapo Abiodun of Lagos and Ogun states respectively, all the elected National Assembly and state legislators.

    “While also encouraging our people in Oyo State not to lose heart because of the temporary loss, we wish to call on all our party supporters throughout the Southwest to unite and reposition the party for effective governance and increased trust of the populace,” the statement said.

    “It is crucial that each state chapter support one another and that we operate as a unit in the region, for the sake of the generality of our people, who desired good governance that only our party can deliver,” the statement read.

  • Southwest APC to voters: elect our candidates for good governance

    THE Southwest All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the electorates in the zone’s six states to vote for its governorship and state assembly candidates on Saturday

    A statement signed by its Zonal Secretary, Mr. Ayo Afolabi, said the APC prides itself as the party that offers good governance, which is the overall goal of democracy.

    It said good governance brings unprecedented growth as witnessed in APC-governed states, a feat it said started since the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s days.

    APC added that it has the best record of responsive leadership in Nigeria’s democratic history.

    The statement reads: “We are asking the people to vote for all our candidates because we remain the best listeners and the most approachable. Our democracy is still growing and we remain the best party to bring it to maturity.

    “Our people must remember the past PDP leviathan regimes. We have not forgotten how they remained deaf to people’s complaints and cries and did whatever pleased them. Such characters always come disguised as angels with temporary reliefs to deceive the people, but their devilish intention can never offer meaningful development and long-term solutions.

    “It is only during the regime of the APC that we see the Rule of Law gaining ascendancy instead of the Rule of Force that held sway under the PDP administrations.

    “What this means is that our party remains the best structure to deliver good governance to our people because we not only listen to the people, we learn from our mistakes.”

    Afolabi urged residents of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states to vote for the APC governorship and the state assembly candidates.

    The party also denied that former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala was induced with huge amount of money as being reported in some media.

    Describing the reconciliation with the former governor as a norm in democracy, he said such “allegation can only exist in the minds and imagination of heavily-corrupt PDP and their supporters”.

    “It is out of place for APC to give financial inducement to anyone with a view to  gain or get the support of anyone, talk-less of a person of Governor Alao-Akala’s caliber, who was until some six month ago a strong member of our party.

    “Alao-Akala made some certain demands, which includes among others: the completion of the teaching hospital in Ogbomosho, which he wanted to be put to immediate use as soon as possible, the issue of LAUTECH,  which he wanted the governments of APC to address immediately and other sundry issues, which are the basic ingredients for good governance,” the party said.

  • Southwest APC: Shettima, Ambode meet Omisore at Ibadan parley

    Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Peace and Reconciliation Committee for the Southwest met yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, with a Social Democratic Party (SDP) group from Osun State, led by its 2018 governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

    The chairman of the committee and Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima was accompanied by his Kaduna and Lagos State counterparts, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai (Vice Chairman) and Akinwunmi Ambode, as well as other members of the committee.

    The meeting was part of the committee’s engagements with strategic allies of the party and aggrieved APC members in the six states of the Southwest.

    The committee was in Ibadan for interactive hearing with APC members from Osun and Oyo states.

    Other members are: Ambode, former Ekiti Deputy Governor Prof Modupe Adelabu, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside and Sa’ida Sa’ad Bugaje.

    Last week, the committee held a consultative meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in his capacity as the most senior public office holder in the Southwest.

    The committee was in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, where it held an interactive hearing with aggrieved members of the APC from Ondo and Ekiti states.

    In Ibadan, the committee held a strategic engagement meeting with Omisore and three others who accompanied him on issues relating to the politics of Osun State.

    The meeting, which held behind closed-doors, was on the invitation of the committee, which is expected to meet with House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Yusuph Lasun, also from Osun, as well as the Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, from Oyo.

    The committee received six aggrieved members, comprising three from Oyo and three from Osun, without a written petition submitted to it.

    Shettima and his members were excited about the development.

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    “We have received the least number of aggrieved members here in Ibadan, from Oyo and Osun states. This bears testimony to the fact that Oyo and Osun governors have made significant reconciliation efforts. We were told of how Oyo State Governor, in particular, invited, hosted and met with aggrieved members and came up with measures of managing grievances.

    “We have confirmed that the governor is already fulfilling his promises of carrying aggrieved members along, and this is very encouraging,” Shettima said.

    Ambode urged aggrieved members to borrow from him by helping to build peace in the interest of the APC ahead of next year’s general elections.

    He said: “We should all recognise that when there is life, there is always a hope for a better future. You can’t win all the time in politics. So, we should put our fate in God that the future will be bright. We should work together for our party, no matter the extent of our bitterness.”

     

  • Southwest APC to prevent further defections

    •Party begins regional cooperation to win Osun poll

    The Southwest Zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has begun moves to prevent further detection of its members to other parties.

    It also kick-started efforts to ensure that its chapters in Lagos, Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun and Ogun work together to ensure victory for its governorship candidate in Osun State in next month’s poll.

    In a statement after its zonal leadership meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Southwest APC said its state chairmen in the zone had been directed to work with the party’s leadership in Osun State to enable the party win the election.

    Signed by its Zonal Secretary, Mr Ayo Afolabi, the statement said: “As far as the Southwest Caucus of the APC is concerned, we have a candidate for the election in Osun and we all have to rally round him to win the election.”

    The caucus urged party members to close ranks to ensure victory at the polls.

    It “directed all state chairmen of the party within the zone to get involved directly in the electioneering process to ensure the party’s victory that started in Ekiti, with the recent election of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is completed in Osun”.

    It added: “We cannot afford to drop any of our Southwest states to the opposition.”

    The meeting, which was chaired by APC National Vice Chairman, Pastor Bankole Oluwajana, also expresses willingness to widen its reconciliation efforts with aggrieved members with a view to bringing them back to its fold and prevent further defections.

    It pledged to work with the National Working Committee (NWC) to put it on the path of progress as the 2019 general elections draw closer.

    The caucus urged aggrieved party members in Osun State to allow internal reconciliations in accordance with the party’s guidelines and ethos.

    “Continuous efforts should be made to reach out to those who were dissatisfied with the primary in Osun to retrace their steps, sheathe their swords and work for the victory of our candidate, Gboyega Oyetola,” the statement added.

    The caucus agreed to speak with one “political” voice by resolving all internal acrimonies in each of the states within the zone.

    It said: “The problems in Oyo and some other states were reviewed and the caucus agreed to work with the state chapters to ensure all grievances are addressed and resolved. We recognise the need for regular meetings to resolve the internal issues across the region to ensure we all speak with one voice.”

    Party chieftains at the meeting include the National Financial Secretary, Alhaji Tajudeen Bello, state chairmen in the zone, Zonal Legal Adviser, Alhaji Tajudeen Lemboye and Zonal Organising Secretary, Femi Egbedeyi.