As the congresses of the All Progressives Congress commences today, there are two factional congresses recorded in some local government areas visited by our correspondents.
According to the national secretariat of the party, local government congress is holding today across the country. The Chairman of the congress in Osun State, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye at a stakeholders meeting on Friday assured party members of credible polls today.
However, as against the directive from the national headquarters to use consensus, there are parallel congresses ongoing in some of the local government areas.
Among the LGAs our correspondents monitored are Irepodun, Egbedore and Ifelodun.
In Irepodun, the Former Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of APC Elders Council, Chief Sola Akinwunmi led a congress at the party secretariat located at Ojutu area of Ilobu, while the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Kolapo Alimi was leading another one on the playing ground of St. Paul’s Grammar School, Ilobu.
Alimi is a member of the Osun Progressives, the factional group loyal to former Governor Rauf Aregbesola in the State.
At the secretariat, where the IleriOluwa group were holding their congress, several party leaders including Nasirudeen Olateju, Adekunle Oloyede, Rauf Ogunsola, Abayomi Oyedeji, all councillors, party leaders, among others.
Speaking with our Correspondent, Adekunle Oloyede, who is the Chairman of Irepodun South LCDA said he’s not aware of any other Congress in the local government. He said the choice of the party secretariat as the venue is because that’s the only recognized location by the national headquarters of the party.
“I’m not aware of any other Congress anywhere in the local government. This is the secretariat of the party where we are doing our affirmation. All party leaders including Engr Sola Akinwunmi, Nasirudeen Olateju, Rauf Ogunsola, myself, among others are here. We chose party secretariat because that’s the recognized place by the national secretariat.
When asked who emerged as the Chairman of the LG, Oloyede said, “Kamorudeen Adejumo is now the Chairman of the APC in Irepodun local government.”
Reacting to the development, Alimi said party activities like such are not held at the party secretariat. He said St. Paul’s Grammar School, is where they hold such.
“I’m not aware of any other place in Irepodun. I’m aware that some people gather at a storey building at Ojutu to hold consensus. We are holding congress here. The choice of this is place is we don’t hold programme of such at the party secretariat. Our collation center is local government but that can’t be used considering the population of people involved. St. Paul’s happens to be the center of political activities in Irepodun. The party secretariat is for only meant for party EXCOS to hold their meetings.”
Alimi listed foremost party leader, Alhaji Tunji Laoye, Baba Oyalakun, Alhaji Alarape, Bowale, Arogundade, former secretary and former councillors.
Alimi added that, “Bowale is now the Chairman APC, Irepodun local government.”
In Ifelodun, former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Lani Baderinwa led the factional congress held at Demonstration area, Ikirun.
He said Mr Seun Alatayo is now the Chairman of the APC that emerged from the congress.
Also in Egbedore, members of TOP gathered at Alawo grammar school, while those of IleriOluwa group converged at Alawo primary school for the affirmation of their consensus candidates.
In Osogbo local government, TOP members gathered at Ola-Oni center opposite Aregbe building while the IleriOluwa group converged at the Osogbo Federal Constituency office opposite Ladsol at Ogo-Oluwa area of Osogbo.
