The Osun State Caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Adegboyega Famodun, has described Saturday’s violent disruption of the peaceful meeting of the Ward Congress Appeal Committee at the State Party Secretariat, as wicked and undemocratic.
Recall that members of a splinter group identified as ‘The Osun Progressives’ (TOP), under the patronship of the immediate-past governor of the state and current Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, unleashed violence at the Osun State Secretariat of the All Progressive Congress, Ogo-Oluwa Osogbo, while attempting to disrupt the peaceful sitting of the Ward Congress Appeal Committee sent from Abuja.
In his reaction to the incident, Famodun condemned the indiscretion of the group, noting that no worthy progressive would choose violence over existing party mechanisms in finding resolution to grievances.
Famodun, who spoke through his Media Aide, Kola Olabisi, said he was disappointed that the invasion was led by a self-styled chairman of the group and former chairman of the party, ‘Lowo Adebiyi; the current state Secretary of the party, Alhaji Rasaq Salinsile and a former Special Adviser under the administration of ex-Governor Aregbesola, Barrister Gbenga Akano.
“The invasion was cruel, unacceptable, wicked, unwarranted, self-serving, undemocratic and brutish.
“During the invasion of the state party secretariat, the political thugs, who accompanied the TOP chieftains into the place, grew wild and started to forcefully remove and beat any sighted member of APC putting on Governor Oyetola’s inscribed fez cap.
“In the process, an APC member, Mr Nurudeen Ajetunmobi (a.k.a Abalawa), from Ward Six in Osogbo Local Government Council Area of the state, who was putting on an Oyetola-inscribed fez cap was assaulted and matcheted on the head to the extent that his blood wet the ground floor of the secretariat.
“The five-member Appeal Committee of the party’s ward congress were forcefully held hostage by the rampaging thugs for about an hour in the office of the Director of Administration of the party secretariat.
“It took the intervention of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Wale Olokode, before the committee members, led by Ambassador Obed Wadzani(Chairman), could be safely led to the conference room, venue of the party assignment.
“It is surprising that some elements who are professing to be leaders and members of the APC in the state could resort to unleashing violence on fellow party members. I see no reason why genuine members of the party cannot abide by the existing internal party mechanisms to settle crises instead of resorting to self-help.
“APC has a constitution, and all members of tinhe party should in their best interest, desist from any action or inaction that negate the provisions of the constitution guiding the party”, Famodun said.
