The All Progressives Congress (APC) chapter in Oyo State appears to be disturbed, as reports emanating from the party’s headquarters in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over the weekend indicated that the Isaac Omodewu-led State Executive Council (SEC) may be dissolved.
Party sources, both within and outside the state, confirmed to The Daily Times at the weekend that “the days of the Oyo EXCO of the party are numbered.
A leader of the party in Ibadan, the state capital, who craved anonymity told our reporter that “we believe we are on top of the situation. But no one can say categorically, what directive will be handed down from the national (sic).
“However, we are hoping that this executive will be made to stay. We heard that there may be changes, but the fear of most of us is that we will have to begin again. 2007 is approaching; and a year might just be like a day in politics.
“But if a change is inevitable, it means we will have to buckle up again, because the only constant factor among all groups in the fold is that we must salvage Oyo State from the evil stranglehold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2027.”
A top member of the SEC also confirmed that Omodewu had been out of the country since last year, though he claimed that this might not be unconnected with health challenges.
However, when asked if the party’s national leadership was planning to dissolve the EXCO, he said “Let them dissolve it, if they want, so long as the structure is intact.”
Another APC chieftain from Ibarapa zone of the state said all had not been well with the party before and since it lost the 2023 governorship election to the PDP, adding that if such a development occured, he would not be surprised.
A member of the party in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State, who simply identified himself as Abiola, confirmed that there had been discussions, both at the local and state levels, about plans to “have” another SEC of the party for over two months.
“I think that the recent death of our federal honourable here, (Musliudeen Akinremi) Jagaban, has further hastened the call; you know, people have always thought that this EXCO is the one Jagaban was loyal to.
“Things might have to change. I am not sure about the decision of our leader, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, right now,” he quipped.
Instructively, another loyalist of the party, who also craved anonymity, volunteered that: “The present EXCO is not recognised by majority of the party leaders and members. It was foisted on them by Folarin. And the same Folarin is more of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar now.”
Efforts to speak with the states APC Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olawale Sadare, on the matter was not fruitful; he declined comment.
Also, calls made to Senator Alli, his media aide, Akeem Abbas; Senator Teslim Folarin’s aide, Yekeen Olaniyi; and the National Vice Chairman of the party in the South-West, Honourable Isaac Kekemeke, were not answered prior the time of filing this report.
