The Osun Progressives (TOP), a group within the All Progressives Congress in Osun State has stated that it will support Governor Adegboyega Oyetola if he emerges as candidate of the APC in 2022 governorship elections.
A leader of the group, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, said the splinter group would support Oyetola said this on Monday while featuring on a radio programme in Osogbo.
According to Adesiji: “We have never said we don’t want Mr Governor. If God says he is the candidate, if the Party presents him as its candidate, we will support him”.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the State of Osun, Prince Adebayo Yekeen Adeleke, has described the activities of the group as that of an opposition political party.
He said the group has refused to toe the path of peace despite the hands of fellowship and friendship extended to all aggrieved members by the Governor.
Recall that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has continued to sue for peace within the party, insisting that as members of the same family, whatever differences that existed could be resolved without necessarily resorting to litigation or violence.
Adeleke also condemned the agitations of TOP members against the conduct of the Local Government Congress of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the State last Saturday.
Adeleke said members of the group decided to alienate themselves from goings-on within the state’s chapter of the APC, adding that it was wrong for them to discredit a process they knew little or nothing about.
He insisted that the conduct of all the congresses so far in the State had been transparent and according to established Party processes.
“When the Committee chaired by Hon. Elegbeleye came to the state, there was a press conference at the Party Secretariat, which the leadership of TOP and acclaimed Party chieftains did not attend. If they had, they would have known the procedure for the conduct of the congress rather than working against the party’s approved template.
“There was nothing hidden about the process. If there were, a press conference that was open to the public wouldn’t have held at the Party Secretariat.
“This group, unfortunately, are beginning to act like a political party in their own right, as against members of the All Progressive Congress”, Adeleke said.
