The elders and Stakeholders caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Irepodun South Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Erin-Osun, have unanimously endorsed one Mr Adeleke Muniru Bamidele as the party flagbearer for the forthcoming Local Government Election in Osun State.
The elders caucus however affirmed the protest staged by some members of the party against the “forth term Ambiton” of the incumbent Chairman of the council, Hon Oloyede Kamalideen Adekunle on Thursday September 8, 2022 described the protesters as the bonafide and authentic members of APC in the council.
Recall that some member of the party had last week Thursday thronged the streets of the town to protest against alleged plans by some people in the state to impose Hon Oloyede Kamalideen Adekunle popularly known as JayKay on them saying he had been ruling the council since its creation about seven years ago.
It would be however, recalled that some people majority whom are members of the executives came out the following day to disown the protesters describing the streets demonstration as premature, misleading, miscarriage and self-serving.
But, at a meeting held at the party Secretariat, on Sunday, the elders and Stakeholders caucus of the party said they were aware of the protest and consequently affirmed the protest just as they unanimously threw their weight behind the aspiration of Adeleke Muniru Bamidele as the only aspirant pushed forward by them.
Reading the communique jointly signed by 22 members of the caucus, the former party Chairman and member of the elders caucus, Alhaji Tajudeen Adegoke, explained that the elders of the party after receiving directives from the party leadership in the state announced to all party members who had interest to vie for the Chairmanship position to formally write the party.
Adekoge said only ten persons show interest out of which Adeleke Muniru Bamidele was selected and agreed upon to run for the position. He added that Jay Kay did not show any interest to contest by then.
“Consequent upon the release of the Notice of Election into Osun state Local Government and Local Council Development Authority (LCDA), interested aspirants were directed by the Elders and Stakeholders to submit their Letters of Interest to the leadership of APC in Erin Osun through the chairman
“This is with the intent to screen and reduce the number of aspirants as advised by the leadership of the party in the state. As a result, a screening committee was set up comprising some elders, past political office holders and some current Party Executive mer bars.
“Consequently, MR. ADELEKE MUNIRU BAMIDELE was chosen among the ten (10) aspirants as the party’s flag bearer in the forthcoming Local Govern ment Election.
“At the completion of the nomination process, MR. ADELEKE MUNIRU BAMIDELE was advised to go and obtain the Expression of Interest and Nomination Form. It must be noted that all the other nine(9) aspirants accepted the candidacy of MR. ADELEKE MUNIRU BAMIDELE
“Thereafter, news started flying round the community that the incumbent Caretaker Chairman who never SHOWED any interest and did not present himself for screening organized by the party leadership in his Local Government, that he is the Governor’s anointed candidate
“This compelled some party members to stage a protest within the community.
“We, the elders and stakeholders caucus of APC in Irepodun South LCDA, Erin Osun wish to affirm that the protest on Thursday 8th September, 2022 was carried out by bonafide and authentic members of the party. We affirm that the nomination of MR. ADELEKE MUNIRU BAMIDELE still subsists and remains unchangeable.
“Despite the unguarded, provocative and condemnable statements issued by some disgruntled elements in the community, the party leadership remains undaunted.”
While raising the hand of Muniru as the consensus aspirant, the Chairman of the party in the LCDA, Mr. Mudasiru Anisere said Muniru had been chosen by the elders of the party in the council area, hence , the reason to openly raised his hand before the elders and Stakeholders caucus and other members of the party gathered at the Secretariat.
Also Speaking Wahab Usman , Omodare Philip, leader at wars 10 Erin-Osun and Alhaja Ola among others speakers said there must be changed in the power as long as the Irepodun South Local Council Development Area is concerned.
They said that Jay Kay should allow another party members to contest. They said people of the local government are not happy with the present situation adding that thousands of APC members are loyal to the present government under the leadership of Governor Gboyega Oyetola, hence the need to give another person chance to take the mantle of the leadership in the LCDA