The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared the air on what it described as erroneous perception that the party was engrossed in internal wrangling capable of dividing its fold.
According to a statement by its director of publicity and strategy, Olawale Sadare, the ruling party remained “a united, people-oriented and progressive platform through which the state would get to the promise land.”
The statement explained that the insinuation that all was not well with the state chapter of the APC was a figment of the imagination of some mischief makers who would wish that the party became scattered for their selfish benefits only.
The statement reads: “As much as we would have desired to see the opposition in other political parties as formidable enough to play the role expected of them, their camps become more vulnerable to emptiness simply because more discerning people are realizing that the APC could deliver the good regardless of the odds. The daily influx of influential members of the opposition into our great party is a pointer to the fact that the APC is waxing stronger in the state.
“The near bedlam recorded in our party recently in the build-up to the suspended local government council election was expected of a party to beat populated by a large chunk of potential holders of political offices at the third tier level. The ensuing agitations and healthy politicking, therefore, should not be misconstrued for internal unrest or crisis of confidence.
“Moreover, the recent composition and inauguration of Council of Elders of the party became necessary to further solidify the mobilization and crisis management machinery of the party at the grassroots. The council, though not a creation of the APC Constitution, is purely an advisory body which was the initiative of both the governor and the Chief Akin Oke-led state executive committee. The council is not meant to replace the party executive committee at any level as being rumored in some quarters.” Sadare said.
The party also advised the minister of communications, Barr. Adebayo Shittu, to always seek clarification from the party leadership before going to press.
The lawyer, while granting an interview over the weekend had levelled some allegations against Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
“Obviously, there are certain half-truths and outright misinformation in some statements credited to the Minister during the cause of the interview. We could only urge him to explore the opportunity of his unhindered access to the governor to iron out issues of misrepresentation and wrong perception while he also needs to seek clarification from the party on any issue of concern to him before going public or to the press as the case may be.” The statement added.