Politics
Ademola Adeleke’s Opponent, Dotun Babayemi, Dares Osun PDP on His Expulsion
Ademola Adeleke’s Opponent, Dotun Babayemi, Dares Osun PDP on His Expulsion
Factional candidate in the July 16, 2022 Osun State PDP gubernatorial election, Mr Dotun Babayemi, spoke on his grouse with Ademola Adeleke, the INEC-declared winner of the election.
How would you describe your expulsion from the PDP, especially at a time the party is still celebrating its victory in the recently held governorship election in the state?
It’s simple. I can say it’s a charade orchestrated by a band of jesters who are afraid of even their own shadows. Seriously, it contradicts logic that some people within the party in their wisdom or lack of it always like to ruffle feathers for their selfish interests and sinister motives. We know them and their antics. They came out with this latest shenanigans they called expulsion when they failed on other deadly fronts. As for me and those supporting me, we remain undaunted and unfazed. Like the Yoruba would say, ‘awon na ni isoro’ (It’s their problem). So, as for me and my teeming backers across the length and breadth of Osun State, we are very much in the PDP. My purported expulsion carried out by some surrogates has been a long-drawn script by some few greedy lord of the manor who don’t feel comfortable with people like us who have decided to challenge them for the good of Osun and its people. Don’t forget, I’m not alone in this journey; I have respected leaders and elders of the party behind me.
Who are the leaders that are with you?
By the grace of God, a former governor of the state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; a member of the party’s Board of Trustees, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun; and Dr Olu Alabi, among other respected leaders of the party in the state, are solidly behind the cause to emancipate the party from a few individuals who are bent on making everybody to kowtow to their feet. Never! It will never happen.
Your reported expulsion from the party was linked to absenteeism from meetings and litigation. Do you intend to withdraw the case in court against the governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke, based on this development?
All the so-called allegations by these frustrated individuals are not only laughable but are equally cheaply nonsensical. I say so because the allegation of absenteeism is too infantile coming from little minds and their sponsors. I want to challenge the masqueraders behind this plot to a popularity test, not only in my hometown, Gbongan, but anywhere in the state and let’s see who blinks first. Me, absent from my local government since 2021? Common, that’s too cheap a lie!
On the second leg of your question, I think we have gone past the stage of withdrawal. They have crossed the line. I say so because at some point, I had agreed to forego my legal pursuits, on some conditions though. They spurned these opportunities due to their self-conceit, greed and winner-takes-all mentality. Just about four weeks into our efforts at bending backwards for peace to be achieved at all costs, they said we should forward a proposal containing our demands. We did but up till now, we didn’t hear anything from them except this purported expulsion. Even at that, they have not stopped abusing, vilifying and even threatening my life and those of my supporters. If one may ask: When has it become a crime to seek redress from the law court? After all, even the present Osun State PDP caretaker committee chairman and others installed by the national headquarters of the party sued the PDP and heaven did not fall.
What were the conditions you listed in your proposal for there to be peace?
The conditions date back to when the Eyitayo Jegede (SAN)-led reconciliation committee came with none seeing the light of the day. For instance, towards the presidential primary of our party which eventually produced Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as our party’s candidate, we agreed as midwived by Jegede’s Committee after about eight hours that the Adeleke group should take 20 delegates while we make do with 10. We all agreed. But unfortunately, in their usual manner, they reneged by taking everything at the end of the day, thus leaving us in the lurch. Thank God, those in the Eyitayo Jegede’s Committee are very much alive, they can testify to my claims.
What were the other demands?
One out of the three senatorial tickets, four out of the nine House of Representatives tickets and 10 tickets of the state House of Assembly, out of the 26. They said they wouldn’t give anything and they didn’t as of now and I doubt if that can ever happen again given the situation we now find ourselves in. Funnily enough, they found an ally in Aregbesola’s TOP (The Osun Progressives), a group the Adelekes prefer to release some positions to. We are keenly watching how their marriage will last. At every opportunity, we have always heeded calls for peace. The vice presidential candidate of our party, His Excellency, Ifeanyi Okowa, at the behest of our presidential candidate, Atiku, in conjunction with some party leaders, intervened with all these conditions clearly spelt out. All still came to nought. The most annoying thing is the fact that all contestable positions allowed by the constitution were contested by members of our group. For instance, for the governorship, out of the six of us that obtained forms, we were five until one left for another party. All of us paid over N21m each. Similarly, across the local governments, forms were obtained and paid for, for House Representatives, Senate and House of Assembly. As they spent money, we also spent money.
*Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate*
As the party campaigns for the 2024 Local Government election in Ogun State draws to a close midnight of today (Thursday), the All Progressives Congress, APC, has charged registered voters in Ogun State to go out and exercise their fundamentals rights on Saturday “without any fear whatsoever”.
Addressing the grand finale of APC in Odogbolu Local Government, the Publicity Secretary of the party in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye said, “APC has done very well under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and we are poised to win the chairmanship and councilorship elections overwhelmingly come Saturday”.
Oladunjoye, who is also Senior Media Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, thanked the Odogbolu people for showing massive support to the APC in the local government.
“With what I have seen here, victory is sure. I want to thank you on behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON and the Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi. “Come out and vote peacefully on Saturday. It is your constitutional duty and obligation.”
Oladunjoye added that people should learn from the chairmanship candidate of the party in Odogbolu local government, Dr. Babatunde Oyetola Diya, who vied for the office about three and half years ago and did not get it, but remained faithful in the party and continued to reach out to people with his humanitarian efforts.”
Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration
Influential Edo State politician, Anthony Ojo has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo after being sworn-in as the new Governor of the State.
In his congratulatory message, Ojo expressed confidence in the abilities of Gov Okpebholo to bring the dividends of democracy close to the people of Edo State.
“The people of Edo State have total trust in your five-point agenda, capacity as a leader, and this is evident with their immense show of love. We have no single doubt that under you, this state will progress to the promised land,” the statement reads.
Meanwhile, Anthony Ojo has confirmed his aspiration to contest the Edo Central senatorial seat under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a position previously held by Senator Okpebholo before he was elected governor.
He cited that sharing the same leadership ideologies with Governor Okpebholo, and the keen desire for transformative human and capacity developments in Edo State are the reasons behind his ambition.
He promised to work closely with the Governor to provide succour to Edo citizens.
Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic
ABUJA – The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has further affirmed Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance (AA) elected on 14th March 2021 National Convention of the party as valid and authentic.
Action Alliance, in a statement by its National Secretary, Vernimbe A James said, “the court of appeal Abuja Division today in Appeal Number; CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024 in a lead Judgement delivered by Hon.Justics Abba Mohammed which was concord by the other two Justices dismissed the appeal filed by Adekunle Omoaje faction through one Miller C.Orgwu ( on behalf of himself and all NEC Members Elected at Action Alliance Elective National Convention of 7th of October,2023, held at OOPL Abeokuta, Ogun State ) against 1, INEC, 2, Kenneth Udeze,3, James Vernimbe, 4, Akinuli Fred Omolere.
“The Court also awarded N400,000 cost against the appellants in favor of the Respondents.
The appeal was about the validity of the powers of Action Alliance NEC under Chief Kenneth Udeze led executive to conduct the party Governorship primary in Ondo State for the upcoming Saturday 16th November 2024, Governorship Election.
“The Federal High Court Abuja Division had earlier In Suit Number; FHC/ABJ/ CS/626/2024 Between Miller Orgwu and others (Omoaje faction) claiming to be authentic NEC of the party against 1, INEC, 2, KENNETH UDEZE,3, JAMES VERNIMBE, 4, AKINULI FRED OMOLERE presided by HON. JUSTICE JOYCE O.ABDULMALIK on 24th, September 2024 dismissed their Claim and validated the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Conducted by Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC as valid and authentic, thereby Confirming the Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the party AKINULI FRED OMOLERE as the valid Candidate of the party for the 16th, November 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State.”
The statement further said: “On 28 March 2022, the FCT High Court Abuja had affirmed and validated the Action Alliance National Convention held on 14th, March 2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led NEC of the party were elected.
“Dissatisfied with the said Judgement, one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others were granted leave of the court of appeal to appeal same Judgement.
“On the 26th, January 2024, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in Appeal Number; CA/ ABJ/ CV/ 955/22 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others further Affirmed the FCT High Court Judgement that earlier validated the Action Alliance National Convention of 14th March,2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance (AA) NEC of the party was elected.
“Dissatisfied with the appeal court Judgement one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others have appealed the Judgement to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal Number: SC/ CV/162/2024 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others, the matter is still pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which he has abandoned but desperately looking for how to come through the back door to claim the leadership of Action Alliance.”
The statement also explained that “INEC has since Complied with the Judgements validating the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected and uploaded on its website the Name of Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze- National Chairman, Vernimbe A James -National Secretary and other Elected NEC of the party as authentic.
“There is no court ruling or Judgement that Affirmed or validated any other National Convention of Action Alliance (AA) held on any other date apart from the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party which Courts have already and variously validated.”
Ezenwa Ibegbunam, who is the Counsel to Chief Fred Omolere, the governorship candidate of the party affirmed by the Court, noted that the judgment has further restated the correct position of the law and a vindication of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal which had earlier affirmed Chief Udeze led executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance.
On his part, Chief Kenneth Udeze has praised the Court of Appeal as a citadel of justice and urged the party members across the country to remain focused.
He further noted that the Judgment has cleared the way for the victory of the party in the Ondo State gubernatorial election.
Source: Daily Independent
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