Before and since the advent of the present Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the mainstream APC in Oyo state have been receiving the short end of the stick.
The gubernatorial candidate of the Party was jettisoned in favour of the incumbent Governor, then PDP candidate in a deal brokered between the then Presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a group of dissident Governors of the PDP led by the then Governor of Rivers state and now Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
Seyi Makinde is a member of the Group of dissident Governors and actually benefitted from the said arrangements which saw to the dumping of the APC gubernatorial candidate and adoption of Makinde by the President elect.
That action was the only straw that broke the back of the Camel for Oyo APC and almost all Its candidates for the March 11, 2023 gubernatorial and States House of Assembly election.
It is still a big surprise, how the Party managed to avoid a total annihilation in the election.
And as if that was not enough, the Party structure and Its gubernatorial candidate were completely neglected and abandoned in the selection of Ministers and other appointments.
Another opposition figure and candidate of the Accord Party, Bayo Adelabu was favoured by the president for the slot of Minister from Oyo state.
Interestingly but surprisingly, Oyo APC though agitated, kept marching in the storm.
As we speak, the Party is sponsoring candidates to contest in all the 33 local governments by next year April in a local government election called by Governor Makinde of the PDP.
That is a big one. A bold step that should convince anyone that the Oyo APC is no fluke, most especially, against the unfounded belief that the President was able to win in Oyo state only because Seyi Makinde “supported” him.
Unfortunately, there have been some funny and wicked rumors this days which suggest that the structures of the Oyo APC is about to be butchered and given out to those who willingly left the Party for an opposition Party and who still, legally remain in the opposition Party till as we speak!
Although, I do not think anyone would rightly and or, reasonably ever consider such an evil act but I have since learned not to doubt anything in politics this days, no matter how bizarre they seem to look or sound.
Taking away the only thing that those who have been steadfast in the party, that is, the party structures clings to is not only sad, it is unthinkable.
It will seem to look like those who are supporting such moves from Abuja never care about the future of the party in Oyo state so far all is well in Abuja.
It will also seems like there is someone or a group of people in Abuja who have an axe to grind with an individual or a group of individuals within Oyo APC and that they have sworn to destroy the party in Oyo state as a result of their grievances.
Political party structures is not a loaf bread to be taken and shared out at the whims and caprices of anyone.
Every member of the political party voluntarily joins and submits their conscience to the party having taken certain issues into consideration.
One of the critical consideration is the Leadership structures.
Once you a political party, you are considered to have mortgaged your conscience to the party, in other words, the Leadership structures of the party.
If party structures are taken, butchered and distributed at will, how will those who have mortgaged their conscience, willingly, to the Leadership they trust with their conscience adjust to a structure forced on them?
I believe the APC Constitution stipulates the how the Party structures are to be put in place and the tenure.
Fortunately, those who are desperate to illegally cart away the structures now are at a position of advantage to sponsor candidates for positions at the expiration of the tenure of the present executives.
It should worry anyone that despite the advantage they enjoy presently, they still could not aspire to take the party in a proper manner stipulated by Law.
Again, the arrow head of the movement, who just got appointed as a Minister, is he not supposed to face the serious business of governance at this critical time?
Like I said, it a rumor, though, that which one might not be able to completely ignore due to ugly experience of the past.
Yet, I think whoever it is that is urging them on this perilous adventure should take a pause and consider the consequences of such an action on the future of the APC in Oyo state.
SOLA ABEGUNDE.
