2019: Akeredolu’s loyalists may quit APC over imposition of candidates by NWC in Ondo

Ahead of 2019 general elections and barring any last minute change, some aggrieved loyalists of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State may defect to other political parties following their displeasure over imposition of candidates by the National Working Committee, NWC, of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The aggrieved members of the APC were shut out from contesting during the primaries by the party’s NWC.

It was gathered that three senatorial aspirants, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, NDDC representative for Ondo State, Lucky Ayedatiwa and Morayo Lebi may dump the party this week for another party to realise their ambition.

It was gathered that the Ondo State Commissioner for Physical Planning, Solagbade Amodeni and the Women Affairs Commissioner, Omowunmi Olatunji are reportedly talking with other parties to represent them in the House of Representatives.

Also, many other members of the House of Assembly are said to be on their way to other parties.

Only six of the 26 members of the House of Assembly were given return tickets, while others were imposed on the party.

A party chieftain, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said:”Beginning from today(Monday), there would be an exodus of APC members to other parties because some aspirants, who lost out in the last primary, have concluded plans to actualise their ambition on the platform of other political parties.

“Already, talks have been ongoing and some of the parties that already have candidates are ready to make replacement for strong candidate from the APC while those that don’t have candidates would now field the APC defectors as their candidates.”

Reacting to the imposition, a senatorial aspirant, Dr Abayomi warned that the party may lose next year’s elections “if impunity and candidate imposition by the party leadership is not immediately addressed.”

Abayomi said: “The National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, should be held responsible if the APC failed to constitute the government at the centre next year.

“What is expected at least from the present leadership of Oshiomhole is to give premium to resolution of conflicts within the party, knowing very well that we have elections close by and that there is a need to have unity.

“He ought to have visited various states and find a way to resolve the conflicts after his election; instead, he was so excited. The consequences are what we are witnessing today in the party. APC is at the point of dissolution as a major political party and that is a very serious issue.”

“I think the major problem is that the chairman of the party (Oshiomhole) did not take the trouble to read the constitution before he assumed office.

“He is more preoccupied with the badge of office instead of the burden of that office. If he preoccupies himself with the burden of the office, he would have understood that he should not support the idea of automatic ticket.

“The implication of Oshiomhole’s action is grave. There is a possibility that the party may not make it in the coming elections.

“The leadership is so incompetent, that is why I said Oshiomhole should resign. You will see that if he does not resign, he is going to destroy this political party.”

But the party state chairman, Ade Adetimehin said he was not aware of any member defecting to other parties.

His words, “I don’t have any information that anybody is leaving the party, all of us are busy preparing for the general elections and we will be victorious.”

YOMI AYELESO, Akure