The local government congress of the All Progressives Congress, APC, held across the country yesterday was an admixture of parallel and consensus arrangements in Ogbomoso council areas.
While party excos emerged through consensus in Ogbomoso North and Oriire local governments, Ogbomoso South, Surulere and Ogo-Oluwa local governments went through the rigours of parallel congresses.
Alhaji Raheem Agunyanmole, the candidate of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala was annointed as chairman of APC in Ogbomoso North to bring to an end the reign of Alhaji Bukola Badmus.
The candidate of Hon Jacob Bamigboye currently representing Oriire state constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly was the consensus chairman in the council area.
In Ogbomoso North the positions were shared among Chief Alao-Akala; Chief Akin Oke (state chairman of the party), Senator Fatai Buhari (senator representing Oyo North senatorial district), Mr. Dokun Alamu, Alhaji Bukola Badmus and Engr. Open Salawu.
In the congress held by the Buhari/Akala group in the South, Alhaji Abisoye Kamorudeen (nominated by Buhari) was returned while an Akala man, Akintayo Adeleke was returned secretary.
The other group being led by Chief Matthew Fasola and others belonging to the Unity Group also held their congress.
In Surulere, the battle is between the Senator Ayo Adeseun and Hon Segun Odebunmi groups with each staging parallel congresses.
In Ogo-Oluwa, which forms a federal constituency with Surulere, the story is the same. It is recalled that Mr. Zacch Adedeji Adelabu, a former commissioner of finance in Oyo state and currently executive secretary, National Sugar Development Council is also deeply entrenched in Ogo-Oluwa local government.
A party leader loyal to the Akala/SENACO group meanwhile expressed optimism during a chat with ogbomosoinsightonline.com that their group’s congress would be ratified at the national level.
The party leader who does not want his name in print noted that Chief Akin Oke attended the briefing at the national headquarters of the party in Abuja prior the congress ”and so you can expect his lists to be endorsed. Also, Chief Akala is recognized as party leader at the national level. So, the antagonists either fall in line or move out of the party.”
But also speaking, a party leader belonging to the Adeseun camp insisted it was their congress that is recognized.
In the meantime, party excos for the wards are yet to emerge following holding of parallel congresses as well. Each group is also claiming victory but the national headquarters is yet to accept the list of any of the contending groups.
