Following the protest by some women members of All Progressives Congress (APC) against the list of National Assembly candidates of the party yesterday in Akure, a coalition of APC stakeholders and members in Ondo State has risen in defence of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party over its decision to review the outcomes of the party’s senatorial and House of Representatives primaries in the state.
The coalition described its move as a necessary corrective measure to uphold the party’s constitution and integrity, reports Daily Independent.
The group, operating under the aegis of the Ondo APC Progressive Minds Alliance (OPMA), declared its support for the decision of the national leadership of the party.
It emphasised that the decision was taken in the best interest of the party and its electoral fortunes in the upcoming general elections.
Also, OPMA, which described itself as a coalition of “progressive-minded stakeholders, loyal party members, and believers in internal democracy,” commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing visionary leadership that has strengthened the APC’s internal mechanisms across the country.
The Coalition praised the APC National Chairman and Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda for their unwavering commitment to due process and adherence to the party’s constitution.
Wole Ogunlade, the OPMA Coordinator, in a statement, declared that the group rejected the narrative propagated by some protesting women and youths in the state, insisting that the NWC acted within its constitutional powers in reviewing the primary election outcomes.
The statement reads in parts: “The Ondo APC Progressive Minds Alliance salutes our respected National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, for his courage and integrity in ensuring that the party’s constitution is not subverted by any individual or group.
“We also commend our father and leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unyielding commitment to the rule of law and internal party democracy.
“We are equally grateful to our illustrious son, the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose exemplary leadership continues to inspire us in Ondo State.
“His dedication to the party’s ideals and his respect for the NWC’s authority are qualities we deeply admire.”
The Coordinator of the Coalition described the protest a “unfortunate deployment of state resources” by the APC-led government in the state to “falsely accuse and vilify” the party’s NWC and its leadership, apparently referring to government appointees among the protesters
He said: “It is most regrettable that the same party that controls the government in Ondo State has resorted to using state apparatus to malign the NWC and discredit its decisions. This is a dangerous precedent and a betrayal of the trust reposed in the party leadership.
“We have witnessed with concern the manner in which government officials and state-sponsored individuals have been deployed to create the impression that the NWC acted arbitrarily.
“The truth, however, is that the NWC only exercised its constitutional mandate to review appeals and ensure that the will of the people, as expressed through the primaries, was not subverted.”
Speaking further on the decision of the party’s leadership, OPMA maintained that the NWC’s decision to replace several senatorial and House of Representatives candidates was based on credible appeals and evidence of irregularities, adding that the move would strengthen the party’s chances in the general elections.
“We are not unaware of the fact that the review produced major changes across the state. These changes were not arbitrary. They followed due process as prescribed by our party’s constitution. The NWC did not impose on anyone; rather, it ensured that justice and fairness prevailed,” Ogunlade said.
The OPMA coordinator, therefore, warned against what he termed “unpatriotic elements” attempting to cause disaffection within the party, urging aggrieved members to pursue their grievances through established party channels rather than resorting to public protests that could embarrass the party and President Tinubu.
He said: “Let us remember that we are all members of one family. The APC is bigger than any individual or group. We must not allow personal ambitions to destroy the party that has worked tirelessly to bring development to our state and country.”
Nevertheless, the Coalition insisted that it would not be intimidated by the protest, stating that the OPMA was prepared to embark on a statewide campaign to educate party members on the benefits of the NWC’s decisions.
“We are fully mobilised and ready to counter any attempt to mislead our people. OPMA will traverse all 18 local government areas of the state to ensure that party members understand the rationale behind the NWC’s decisions,” Ogunlade said.
Likewise, OPMA Women Leader, Mrs. Lolade Adubiaro, expressed disappointment at the yesterday protest, which she described as “an unfortunate distraction” orchestrated by those who lost out in the primary elections.
She said: “We women of the APC in Ondo State are solidly behind the NWC. The so-called protest by some women and youths does not represent the true feelings of our members. We have gone through the proper processes, and we are satisfied that the NWC has acted in the best interest of the party.
“Those who took to the streets on Monday were not speaking for us. We distance ourselves entirely from their actions and their utterances. Our party is united, and we will not allow a few disgruntled elements to create an atmosphere of crisis.”
“We respectfully urge the Ondo State government to desist from deploying state resources to attack the NWC or any other leadership organ of the party. This is not only divisive but also counterproductive.
“The government should rather focus on delivering good governance to the people of Ondo State rather than engaging in unnecessary political battles that can only weaken our party.”
