The leadership, elders and executives of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State have kicked against the imposition of candidates ahead of the forthcoming local government election, declaring their support for Hon. Lekan Bello as the preferred choice of the majority.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a large-scale stakeholders’ meeting held in Egbeda Local Government, which brought together APM ward chairmen, women leaders, youth leaders, party executives, elders and other critical stakeholders from across the local government.
In the communiqué, the Egbeda APM leaders and executives reaffirmed their commitment to internal democracy and declared that the will of the majority of party members and stakeholders must prevail in the choice of the party’s candidate.
The stakeholders specifically endorsed Hon. Lekan Bello, describing him as the choice that emerged from extensive consultations among party leaders, executives and members across the wards.
They consequently rejected any attempt to impose a candidate on the party, stressing that such a move could undermine party unity, weaken the confidence of grassroots members and jeopardise the collective efforts of the APM ahead of the local government poll.
The stakeholders also appealed to the leadership of the party and the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to uphold the principle of a level playing field and respect the outcome of consultations among party leaders and members.
Speaking at the meeting, former Chairman of Egbeda Local Government, Hon. Obiesan Kamorudeen, said party leadership must be carried along in every democratic process, warning that imposing an aspirant on the people could create unnecessary division within the party.
Kamorudeen urged the party leadership and the governor to ensure that the wishes of the majority were respected, while cautioning against allowing personal interests to override the collective position of party stakeholders.
Also speaking, APM chieftain and elder, Hon. Jumoke Lawal, popularly known as Iya Pineapple, appealed for peace and unity among party members and aspirants.
Lawal, who described herself as a mother to all the aspirants, said the followers and grassroots members deserved to have their voices heard, insisting that the will of the majority must be respected.
“Nobody is bigger than the party, and nobody will ever be bigger than the party,” she stressed, while appealing to the governor and party leadership to address the areas of disagreement and allow peace to return to the APM family in Egbeda.
In his remarks, former Minister of Steel and Power, Elder Wole Oyelese, recalled that the Executive Governor of Oyo State and leader of the party had directed stakeholders at the local government level to consult among themselves and present a candidate enjoying the support of the majority.
Oyelese said the directive resulted in several consultations and stakeholders’ meetings in Egbeda, during which party members, executives, leaders and elders deliberated on the candidate considered most acceptable to the majority.
According to him, the process was intended to produce a popular, selfless and broadly accepted candidate capable of carrying all party members along and sustaining the party’s support at the grassroots.
He maintained that the APM belongs to everyone and that no individual or group should place personal ambition above the collective interest of the party.
Oyelese declared that the stakeholders had spoken with one voice in favour of Hon. Lekan Bello, adding that the endorsement reflected the position of ward chairmen, women leaders, youth leaders, party executives, elders and other stakeholders across Egbeda Local Government.
The communiqué therefore reaffirmed the stakeholders’ endorsement of Lekan Bello as their consensus and majority choice, while calling on the party leadership to respect the decision reached through consultation and democratic engagement.
The meeting was attended by prominent party leaders and stakeholders, including Elder Wole Oyelese, Chief Amusa Olagoke, Hon. Jumoke Lawal (Iya Pineapple), Femi Eniade, Alhaji Kolawole Ibrahim, Chief M. Ade Rainbow, Mrs Adenike Balogun, Chief Dauda, Pastor Olamoyegun, Chief Obiesan Kamorudeen, Oyeniyi Tayo, Ojo John Okanlawon, Adediran Tayo, Olakanmi Abimbola, Lamid Nasike, Olapade Yinusa, Durojaiye Fatai and Ogundiran Kamal, among others.
