I read with utter dismay the opinion of a former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in Oyo state, Asiwaju Mutalubi Ojo, where rather than discuss issues, he focused on spewing vituperation on the personality of the outgoing Deputy National Leader of our great party: the All Progressives Congress: Hon. Afeez Bolaji Repete, on his decision to contest for the office of the National Vice Chairman (South West) of the party.
Although he is entitled to his opinion, replying him via the same media will not only help in setting the record straight, but will also helpful when scholars are dissecting evolution of our political parties.
While OJ, as fondly called, is asking where it was decided that Hon. Repete should contest for the office, shall we remind him that Repete is not the only aspirant for the same office from Oyo state? Has OJ ask the other aspirant where it was decided that he should pick the nomination form either? If he has not, won’t it amount to sheer hypocrisy from the former Attorney General of the state to ask just an aspirant, while leaving the other aspirant for the same position?
Yes, there is no doubt that party offices at the Zonal level, especially the National Vice Chairman should be for the generality of the members and the overall interest of the party as a whole. Has Hon. Repete ever been found guilty of working against the overall interest of the party, since her formation in 2014? If our party truly rewards loyalty, the candidacy of Repete should not even be questioned, especially by those who participated actively in the activities of the party in the last eight years of her formation. At a time when loyalty is rarely found among politicians, Hon. Repete did what majority would have think is not possible: resigning his position as a National Officer of the party, so that his benefactor and leader of the party in our dear pacesetter state: Sen. Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi of blessed memory will take up a vacant position at the national secretariat of the party. How OJ would think that such gentleman will want to occupy office to satisfy and fulfill his personal whims and caprices only still amazes me!
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At a time that the world is giving the younger generation the opportunity to take over governance at various levels: at a period in the history of our nation, when youths are yearning for due recognition and representation at all levels of decision making, it is totally uncalled for to assume that a former Deputy National Youth Leader of our party is too insignificant to hold a bigger position in the party. In fact, OJ should apologize to my generation for holding that myopic view; that a former National Officer of the party is too insignificant to occupy a position. How best can the party appreciate the roles of the youths and the young turks in the party, if not by apportioning more responsibilities? OJ should go ahead to mention those notable party leaders whom he thinks should occupy the position and let the delegates: those who will vote during the convention to compare and contrast their records.
Repete, is one of the leading lights of the party in the state; a bridge-builder who will ensure that the younger minds in the party are well connected with the older generations in order to ensure that they are properly enlightened on what progressivism truly entails. There is no doubt that his emergence will not only unify the party in the state, but will also ensure that our house is put in order for the journey ahead.
Delegates of our party in the March 26 convention will be doing a whole lot of favour to the region, if Hon. Afeez Bolaji Repete is elected to serve as the National Vice-chairman (Southwest) of our dear All Progressives Congress.
Azeez Shuaib is the Youth Leader of All Progressives Congress, Ona-Ara Local Government.
