Osun: How Elegbeleye compromised on Osun APC ward congress – Progressive Group
The dust is yet to settle on the controversial Ward Congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun.
A group within the APC, the Progressive Coalition Against Injustice, on Friday, alleged that the Chairman of the Congress Committee, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, compromised the process as requested by Senator Iyiola Omisore, the 2018 governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
According to the group, Senator Omisore is facilitating the actualization of Elegbeleye’s ambition to secure the ticket of the party for Ondo North Senatorial District, come 2023.
The group, in a press statement signed by its Coordinator, Mr Jide Alabi, said the Ward Congress would not be fair and transparent with Elegbeleye heading the committee, saying that his ambition and relationship with Omisore would not allow him do the right thing expected of an umpire.
Questioning why Governor Adegboyega Oyetola is allegedly warmed and favourably disposed to politicians, particularly those who are of PDP extraction in the APC, who are balkanizing the party, the group said the current situation of the party calls for urgent attention from National leaders.
The statement reads: “From the time he was appointed, we knew there was no way the APC Ward Congresses Committee in Osun, headed by Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye could have been fair. This is because we have it on good authority that Elegbeleye was nominated by Omisore, who has been working to hijack the party structure like he did to PDP and SDP in the past.
“Elegbeleye was a member of the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2011. He served only one term and since then he has been an ADC to Senator Iyiola Omisore, who is known to be his benefactor.
“His appointment as Director General of National Sports Commission on May 15, 2013 was personally facilitated by Omisore who was then the Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriation through the then Senate President, David Mark.
“Hon Elegbeleye is again said to be banking on Omisore’s help to clinch the Ondo North Senatorial Seat, currently held by Senator Borrofice come 2023.
“It is clear from the onset that there was no way Osun Ward Congresses would have gone fairly under the leadership of Elegbeleye.
“While Elegbeleye was encouraged by leaders from far and near to at least be fair and recognize all stakeholders in the consensus arrangements for the Ward Congresses, he turned deaf ears to serve his masters, resorting to lies, claiming that he screened over 8000 aspirants in just three hours.
“The question to ask is: why is Governor Oyetola going to all length to work with politicians of PDP extractions like Senator Omisore who had waged wars against the progressives like Chief Bisi Akande, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rauf Aregbesola and the likes. The same Omisore, who who is not unconnected to the death of Late Yoruba Leader, Chief Bola Ige.
“Why is Oyetola partnering the worst of our political atmosphere to advance a divisive and toxic agenda.
“For over 10 years, Osun APC has built a winning and stable legacy that has delivered exceptional development and politics for the people. Governor Oyetola is leaving no stone unturned to destroy the legacy by dividing the party and worst off, bringing criminal PDP elements into the fore front of our party.
“The implications of this to the prospects of our party for the incoming elections are grave. Governor Oyetola is disenfranchising the grassroots base of the party, denying the people access to Direct Primaries and corrupting our people with criminal elements of the PDP.
“The leadership of our great party is urged to take a cursory look at the development to avert a dangerous and self implosive trend. Our leaders at the regional and national levels are thereby forewarned to check this trend before it becomes gravely irreversible for the state and the nation.”
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