Despite the pendency of a case in court, the National Secretariat of the Alliance for Democracy has been accused of inaugurating a second caretaker committee to interfere with the affairs of the party in the Oyo state.
An initial controversial caretaker committee which was constituted by the national leadership of the party has been challenged in court with the matter pending hearing.
The second caretaker committee which was said to have been masterminded by the partys national secretary, Mr Akin Fashogbon has already been attracting knocks by the state party stakeholders.
The development which is already generating a lot of tension in the party is also been rejected by the state party leaders who insisted that the formation of caretaker committee is alien to the party’s constitution and would be resisted through all known legal means.
The party counsel in the pending lawsuit to determine the legality or otherwise of a state caretaker committee was also said to have expressed dismay at the decision of some members of the national party leadership to have resorted to self help and undermined the case that is presently before a court, expressing disappointment and embarrassment at the development.
In a press statement issued to warn party member to beware of the activities of those he described as the embattled caretaker committee, AD Oyo state chairman, Chief Olusegun Akinropo said no caretaker committee can conduct any party primaries, and every effort to cut corners and to short-circuit the party constitution will finally and woefully fail.
Akinropo statement reads in parts “It has become important at this time for me to make this statement, in order to educate, guide and warn our teeming, honest, innocent and loyal party members in Oyo State about the true state of affair in the party.
“About April 2018, a caretaker committee, was set up by some persons, in order to illegally replace the legitimate, performing Executive Committee of Oyo, Ogun, Osun States.
“This action was challenged in the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/424/2018 AD, by the Chairmen of the affected States. In the suit, the Caretaker Committee, and their sponsors are represented by Messrs. Sayo Odumosu & Co., Legal Practitioner, while the Chairman of Oyo, Ogun, Osun are represented by John Sola Bayeshea (SAN) & Co. and INEC National Office represented by Iorshe Wilson Esq. of Noble Crest Solicitors.
“This case will be heard and decided shortly since the Federal High Court that has been on holiday is now open, and ready to hear the case. In that case, it will be decided if AD Constitution recognizes any “caretaker” arrangement, and therefore if the caretaker committee in Oyo State, and operating from Inaolaji Shopping Complex is legal or illegal.
“I wish to advise all aspirants to any and all political offices in the next general elections to submit their letter of intent and other forms, signed by their ward Local Government Chairman to the National Secretariat of the Party through the State Office of AD, in Yemetu, Ibadan latest by Tuesday 25th September, 2018.
“I warn members and aspirants not to pay their fees to any caretaker committee that operates without any account in any bank. Banks are law abiding, and will never open an account for any “Caretaker Committee”, that has no mention in AD Constitution, please. The State Secretariat has a bank account with Wema Bank Plc, in Ibadan, into which all financial transactions of the party are made, and which is subject of audit by INEC and our Auditors.
“The only way AD can earn the respect and confidence of members is to operate within its own constitution and all extant laws and the Constitution of Nigeria, and not through process fraud and impunity. This is the only way AD can be truly different from many others in the political space of Nigeria.”
