A group of over 300 concerned leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo State under the aegis of Unity Forum of APC has petitioned the national leadership of the ruling party over what it described as the anti-party activities of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
The group in a petition dated June 3, 2019 and signed by Alhaji Ali Olanusi urged the panel trying Akeredolu for anti- party activities to sanction the governor strictly in accordance with constitution of the party over his unbecoming roles that eventually led to the defeat of President Buhari and other candidates of APC in Ondo State during the 2019 general elections.
The APC leaders also called on the National Vice – Chairman (South) of the party, Otunba Niyi Adebayo to excuse himself from the Anti-Party Activities Panel on account of his close relationship with both Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his deputy, Agboola Ajayi. They insisted that membership of Otunba Niyi Adebayo in the panel portends a likelihood of compromise in investigations and recommendations of the panel.
Some of the notable APC leaders aside Alhaji Ali Olanusi include Pa Erastus Akeju, Sen. Yele Omogunwa, Elder Mike Adeyeye, Chief Olusola Oke, Adewale Omojuwa, Barr. Olanrewaju Kazeem, Hon. Afe Olowookere, Hon. Bola Ilori, Hon. Janet Adeyemi, Hon Abiodun Adesida amogst others.
The leaders also accused Ondo State Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi and Ondo State APC Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin of working in cahoots with Akeredolu to ensure the defeat of President Buhari and other National Assembly candidates of the party during the 2019 general elections.
The group in its petition prayed the Anti-Party Panel to investigate Governor Akeredolu and his deputy on their resolve to kill the party that gave them platform to come to power and limelight. The group also posited that Ondo State APC Chairman and his Executive members had brought APC into disrepute in the state and had outlived their usefulness. The group therefore prayed the panel to dissolve Ondo State Executive of the party just like it did in Imo and Ogun States.
The petition reads in part, ” The Governor started calling meetings and he vowed never to work for any of our party’s candidates especially Senator Roberts Ajayi Boroffice and Senator Yele Omogunwa. The Governor vowed he would ensure that they do not return to the Senate.
” The Governor also instructed his deputy and the state party Chairman to go and work for Dr. Tunji Abayomi for whom he secured Action Alliance (AA) ticket as Senatorial candidate in Ondo North to slug it out with Senator Boroffice, the APC candidate for that election. The Governor also secured AA ticket for one Dr. Adetunji Felder in Ondo South to slug it out with our party candidate, Senator Yele Omogunwa. The Governor decided to leave the Central for Senator Tayo Alasoadura whom he claimed to be supporting”.
The petition further reads, ” The Governor, the Deputy Governor and the state party Chairman worked together in cahoots and fielded candidates for House of Representatives in AA against our party candidates. In Akoko South West/South East the Governor and his cohorts picked one Dr. Ategbole as his candidate in AA against Mr. Ade Adeogun who is the candidate of APC. In Akoko North East/West, the Governor and his collaborators picked Hon. Stephen Friday Olemija as their House of Reps candidate in AA against our party candidate, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo. In Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, the Governor through the APC state Chairman picked Sunday Akinwalere in AA to challenge our candidate in APC, Hon. Baderinwa White. That state Chairman, Mr. Ade Adetimehin openly campaigned for his AA candidate without being afraid of failure of our party. In Akure North/South Federal Constituency, the Governor used his Secretary to the State Government Hon. Sunday Abegunde Abena and Aketi Group to work in support of PDP candidates on the day of election”.
However, Alhaji Olanusi stated in the petition that it was most regrettable that Akeredolu and his anti-party team did not organize any rally for the party in Ondo State, but chose to only organize for Action Alliance in further demonstration of his anti-party activities. It was also stated in the petition that billboards were mounted across Ondo State to promote AA at the detriment of APC.
It was also written in the petition that Akeredolu won his unit, ward and local government for AA in the senatorial election in Ondo North, ditto the Deputy Governor and the state party Chairman. The petition also underscored the fact that the money sent to Ondo State for mobilization of APC candidates and members was diverted for the use of AA candidates by Akeredolu.
“We understand that monies were sent to Ondo State APC twice for the purpose of mobilization for the election. It is also on record that monies were sent to APC candidates to assist in the election. We wish to let this body know that our Governor cornered all the monies and gave same to AA and reserved the rest for the House of Assembly election. The Governor claimed the Assembly election is the only one that can affect his fortune”, the petition reads
