Barely three days to gubernatorial elections across the country, Oyo State chapter of the Accord Party under the party chairman, Hon. Prince Kolade Ojo has dumped gubernatorial candidate of the party, Chief Adebayo AbdulWaheed Adelabu and declared support for the incumbent, Engr Seyi Makinde who is seeking re-election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Prince Kolade Ojo conveyed the decision of the party at a press conference on Wednesday in Ibadan.
According to the Chairman, the state working committee of ACCORD, the 33 local government chairmen of ACCORD, as well as party stalwarts converged on the party office, Aremo, Ibadan to evaluate, brainstorm and came up with the resolution to support the reelection of the incumbent governor.
Below is the full speech obtained by FRESHPAGE.COM.NG
AN ADDRESS BY THE OYO STATE CHAIRMAN ACCORD, HON. PRINCE KOLADE OJO AT A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 8TH MARCH, 2023 IN IBADAN.
The State Secretary, ACCORD, Hon Olayinka Dairo,
Other members of ACCORD Oyo state working committee,
ACCORD local government party chairmen,
Other local government and ward executives of our great party here present,
Ladies and gentlemen of the press, good afternoon.
It is a great delight and honour for me to intimate you members of the fourth estate of the realm in particular and the public in general on developments in the political arena at this auspicious moment.
Following the just concluded presidential and national assembly elections in our dear nation, the state working committee of ACCORD, the 33 local government chairmen of ACCORD, as well as party stalwarts converged on the party office, Aremo, Ibadan to evaluate, brainstorm and chart the way forward with a view to proffering workable solutions for the progress and continued development of our pace setter state.
At the meeting, which was chaired by Hon. Tajudeen Alimi, ACCORD chairman, Ibadan South East and chairman of the chairmen, we decided the following ahead of the forthcoming governorship and house of assembly elections of Saturday 11th March, 2023:
I. Consequent upon many appeals and entreaties by the local government chairmen to right some wrongs, including the taking of unilateral decisions, deliberate sidelining of ward and local government party executives in the running and administration of the party and lack of harmonious working relationships by the governorship candidate of the party, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the entire party structure expressed its displeasure, disappointment and disenchantment for not being carried along as partners in progress and pillars of electoral victory for his candidature.
II. It was categorically stated after discreet observation and careful study of events that Chief Adebayo Adelabu prefers to work in cahoot with his few supporters from his former party, thereby institutionalising use and dump syndrome within the party.
III. Chief Adebayo Adelabu has neither recognition, nor due respect whatsoever for the party hierarchy and this he will sustain should he be elected as governor of Oyo state.
IV. Arising from the above, the party executives, including the state working committee, local and ward executives have lost confidence in Chief Adebayo Adelabu as a worthy candidate to be supported for the exalted position of state governor. Charity, they say begins at home thus we would not want him to work at cross purposes with our party’s unique and lofty ideology which includes, unity, togetherness, development and progress for the masses.
V. Going forward, the entire ACCORD Oyo state executives have agreed to form a working alliance with the incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde
VI. It is noteworthy to clarify and assert authoritatively that the coalition was born out of passion for interrupted good governance and our conviction that Engineer Seyi Makinde has performed creditably well to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of Oyo state. Thus, this coalition will bolster accelerated growth and all round development. We are not unaware of antics of political jobbers and purveyors of fake news who may want to hoodwink the public that the altruistic merger has pecuniary gains, please disregard such baseless assumption and unfounded insinuation should it arise.
VII. We are particularly satisfied with Governor Seyi Makinde’s achievements in different sectors such as Education, Health, Civil Service reform, and prompt payment of pension and gratuity to mention but a few.
VIII. Meanwhile, the 32 ACCORD candidates for the state house of assembly are in the race to win and we call on supporters and party faithfuls to give them the necessary support for their resounding victory at the coming poils.
IX. We appeal to the media as our dependable companions to include it in their various reports that the party structure is not collapsed, but rather it will be used to support the PDP government led by Governor Seyi Makinde.
Thanks for your audience and remained blessed.
