Obasanjo resolves Oyo ADC crisis, 13 lawmakers pledge allegiance to Ladoja

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has resolved the crisis with the fold of the African Democratic Congress in Oyo State.

The crisis arose as a result of allegations that the congress of the party in Oyo State was stage managed by the former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja; and a former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Chief Michael Koleosho.

Obasanjo was said to have resolved the crisis on Wednesday after series of meetings with various stakeholders.

Among other concessions, members were said to have agreed to concede some critical positions to the break away faction of the All Progressives Congress in the party, popularly known as Unity Forum.

On chairmanship, the party members were said to be torn between giving it to Oyo Central Senatorial District and Oyo North Senatorial District.

However, they were said to have settled for Oyo North Senatorial District.

Amongst resolutions reportedly made at the meeting were automatic tickets for the serving state and National Assembly members who are majorly from the Unity Forum and Accord of former Governor Ladoja.

It was also learnt that direct primaries option was adopted for other elective positions, while every aspirant across the five geopolitical zone is allowed to contest for the gubernatorial ticket of the party.

The truce came as 13 members of the Oyo State House of Assembly from three different parties pledged their allegiance to the ADC and its collegiate leadership under Ladoja, Koleoso, Chief Layiwola Olakojo and Dr. Adebisi Busari.

The lawmakers, whose constituencies spread across local government areas in Ibadan city, Ibadan less city, Oyo and Oke-Ogun zones, said their decision was informed by “overwhelming acceptance of ADC within a short period of time and the integrity of its leaders in the state.”

The legislators, who were elected into the House of Assembly in 2015 from Accord, APC and Labour Party, said they were not in doubt that “ADC is a government-in-waiting,” judging by what they called ADC’s “phenomenal spread” in the state.

Led by a former Labour Party state Secretary, Gbenga Oyekola (Atiba State Constituency), and the Deputy Speaker, Abdulwasi Musa (Saki West State Constituency), the list of the G-13 lawmakers also include Ademola Akeem Ige (Ibadan South-East II), Adesina Fatai (Ibadan South East I), Olusegun Olaleye (Ibadan North State Constituency II) and Lukman Balogun (Oorelope State Constituency).

Others are Ganiyu Oseni (Irepo/Olorunsogo State Constituency), Afeez Adeleke (Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency), Muyideen Olagunju (Oyo East/Oyo West State Constituency), Waheed Adeniyi Adeoye (Ibadan North-East II State Constituency), Bolaji Badmus (Akinyele State Constituency II), Biliaminu Azeez (Ona-Ara State Constituency) and Lasun Oguntade (Egbeda State Constituency II).

The Spokesman of the lawmakers, Oyekola, said the group was concerned about the state of things in the state in almost eight years and became convinced that the state deserved a people-oriented government in 2019.

Oyekola said: “We don’t deserve the same of same in 2019 in Oyo State and we are resolute about this. We have pledged our loyalty to Senator Ladoja, Chief Koleoso, Dr. Adebisi and Chief Olakojo. We are for ADC and will work for the success of the party in the 2019 elections.

“We were 16 before now. Two have gone to PDP (Peoples Democratic Party). Hon. Peter Oyetunji has gone to meet his leader in PDP, Senator Ayo Adeseun. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin said his people back home said he should stay in PDP for now. Hon. Kehinde Oloya says he wants to contest for the House of Representatives seat in Accord.

“But the 13 others, including myself, are resolute about ADC and we have started massively mobilisation for ADC in our constituencies and across the state. We have started meeting with is the leaders of ADC. We met with Chief Koleoso and Chief Olakojo today (yesterday). We will meet with Senator Ladoja when he returns to Ibadan and also meet Dr. Adebisi Busari.

“When we say we are 13, that is our membership for now. Others who share in the vision that the people of the state deserve better deal are talking to us. We are convinced that ADC is the party that others are struggling to beat in the state.

“This party came within a short period of time and is already a household name everywhere you go in the state. We will not be left out. We are a solid part of this mass movement or if you like the 2019 revolution that ADC will engender in the state.”