A coalition of political groups under the aegis of Ifo Unity Vanguard has thrown its weight behind the vote of confidence passed on the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ibogun Ward, Akeem Oluwanisola, and the ward’s Youth Leader, Solomon Abraham, while rejecting what it described as a purported disciplinary committee allegedly set up by the Oluomo Solidarity Forum (OSF).
The group, which claimed to represent various political tendencies in Ifo Constituency 1 apart from the OSF, called on Governor Dapo Abiodun and the state caucus of the party to prevail on former Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, to caution his supporters against actions capable of generating unnecessary tension within the party.
In a statement jointly endorsed by prominent members of the coalition, the group argued that the emergence of Oluwanisola marked the first time since 2010 that a politician outside the Senator Ibikunle Amosun/Oluomo Solidarity Forum bloc had occupied a leadership position in Ifo Constituency 1.
According to the group, members outside the SIA/OSF political structure had endured years of exclusion and limited opportunities before the advent of the current administration’s inclusive policy.
It alleged that the attempt to use the controversy surrounding Chief Joju Fadairo as a basis for sanctioning the ward chairman and youth leader was aimed at restoring the dominance previously enjoyed by the OSF across the constituency.
The coalition further contended that if fairness and principle were the overriding considerations, similar scrutiny would have been directed at individuals who had also enjoyed the endorsement and support of Chief Fadairo in the past.
While insisting that it harboured no grudge against any political tendency, the group said it could no longer remain silent in the face of what it termed continued intimidation and efforts to undermine the choice of party members in Ibogun Ward.
“The people of Ibogun have made their choice. After 17 years of political marginalisation, they chose Akeem Oluwanisola, and we expect that decision to be respected,” the statement read.
The group stressed that the outcome of the last House of Assembly election should serve as a lesson that leadership could not be perpetually imposed on the people.
It therefore, appealed to all stakeholders to embrace peace and avoid actions capable of causing divisions within the ruling party ahead of future elections.
The Ifo Unity Vanguard reaffirmed its loyalty to Governor Dapo Abiodun and expressed support for the governorship ambition of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, pledging commitment to the collective vision of the party leadership.
The statement was signed by over 20 leaders drawn from various political groups in Ifo Constituency 1, including the Obadina, Chief Derin, Mandate, Democrat, Osoba, Osoko and Fatoki groups.
The statement
Following the vote of confidence passed on Akeem Oluwanisola and Solomon Abraham as Chairman and Youth Leader respectively of APC Ibogun Ward in Ifo Local Government Area, we—the Ifo Unity Vanguard, representing all political groups in Ifo aside from the minority Oluomo Solidarity Forum (OSF)—warmly commend this decision. At the same time, we firmly reject and condemn the purported disciplinary committee allegedly constituted by the OSF.
We respectfully call on the State Caucus, under the leadership of our father and leader, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, to urge former Speaker Olakunle Oluomo to rein in his supporters, whose actions are increasingly suggestive of unnecessary confrontation.
It is important to note that this is the first instance since 2010 that a non–Senator Ibikunle Amosun (SIA)/OSF-affiliated individual has occupied a leadership position in Ifo Constituency 1. For years, we endured political exclusion with patience and loyalty to the party. Between 2010 and 2019, prior to the emergence of our current leadership, political participation and opportunity in Ifo Constituency 1 were largely restricted to members of the SIA/OSF bloc.
Now that we can thrive under the inclusive policy of His Excellency, it is regrettable that those, who exercised total control for years, appear unwilling to accept this fractional change. The attempt to use the matter involving Chief Joju Fadairo as a pretext to target the Ward Chairman and Youth Leader is, in our view, a calculated effort to regain dominance across all wards in Ifo Constituency 1, albeit through the back door.
If principle and fairness were the true objective, similar calls would have been made regarding their own preferred State House of Assembly aspirant—later appointed Special Adviser—who also enjoyed Chief Joju Fadairo’s endorsement and support, to the extent that Chief Joju presented him to the Governor. But thanks to the vision of His Excellency, the OSF would have presented Assembly representation for the fifth consecutive time after Oluomo’s four terms.
While we hold no resentment toward anyone’s political progress, we can no longer remain silent in the face of continued intimidation. The outcome of the last Assembly election should have demonstrated clearly that leadership cannot be imposed indefinitely yet we doubt if any lessons have been learnt therefrom. That is why we seek the peace and not conflict at this crucial time, in the overall interest of our dear party and candidates. The people of Ibogun have made their choice! They chose Akeem Oluwanisola after 17 years of political marginalization. We expect the OSF to respect this choice.
We reaffirm our unwavering loyalty and total commitment to our father and leader, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON; our incoming Governor, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (YAYI); and the shared vision of our party leadership.
Signed
For: Ifo Unity Vanguard, Ifo Constituency 1
Hon Sesan Okewunmi (Obadina Group)
Hon Suraju Oyedele (Chief Derin Group)
Fola Onifade, frpa (Mandate Group)
Hon Wemimo Owolabi ((Chief Derin Group)
Hon Nuru Matanmi (Democrat Group)
Hon Sikiru Abdulrahman (Osoba Group)
Chief Yahya Ogundele (Osoko Group)
Hon Juwon Gbadebo (Chief Derin Group)
Chief Akeem Fajimi (Osoba Group)
Aare Femi Shoyoola (Osoko Group)
Hon Ibrahim Fadauntan (Mandate Group)
Hon Kehinde Bello (Democrat Group)
Hon Ibrahim Adisa (Fatoki Group)
Hon Seyi Olutayo (Mandate Group)
Hon Wale Craig (Fatoki Group)
Hon Deji Obadina (Obadina Group)
Hon Wale Sorungbe (Fatoki Group)
Hon. Oladunjoye Muftau (Democrat)
Mr Ismail Adebisi (Mandate)
Hon. Adewale Adebayo (Chief Derin)
Hon. Sola Olutola (Chief Derin)
Chief Kola Adebari (Fatoki Group)
Chief Olutola Kolawole Joseph (Chief Derin Group)
