………. Seeks Tinubu, Ganduje’s Intervention
- Yusuf Oketola
A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Engr. Bashir Lawal has expressed displeasure over suspension and expulsion of some founding fathers of the party, who are loyalists of the immediate-past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in the state.
Lawal in a letter dated September 2, 2023, a copy obtained by OSUN DEFENDER seeks the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, the National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje and elders of the party to wade into the matter.
Recall that the Tajudeen Lawal led APC in Osun had on Wednesday and Thursday last week expelled 26 members of the party and suspended 84 others for alleged Anti-party activities.
However, Lawal in the letter said the decision of the party is power-wedged too much, untimely and counterproductive to the peace of and consolidation of the party in the state.
He said the expulsion of 84 members from a party that once struggled in a gubernatorial election to get victory with 500 votes is outrageous.
Parts of the letter read: “I’m Engr. Bashir Lawal, a.k.a Gomina Mekunu, a member of our great All Progressives Congress, Isale Oba Ward 2, Iwo Local Government, Osun State.
“I’m writing this letter to call your attention to the decision of the party’s state executive committee expelling eighty four members and Suspension of twenty six members of the party as recommended by the disciplinary committee.
“First and foremost, in democracy, majority have their ways while minority have their says. I concur with the decision of the though, dissatisfied. Without undermining the authority of the party, I wish to express this freedom on behalf of those who might share sams opinion with me that the executive decision is power-wedged too much, untimely and counterproductive to the peace of and consolidation of the party in the state.
“Yoruba elders in politics believe that there is no get out but get in politics. Expulsion of eighty members from a Party that once struggled in a Gubernatorial Election to get victory with five Hundred (500) votes is outrageous. This also call for if the Executive Committee has legal right to expel people from the party.
” I am opportuned to listen in the streets. We may not fail as political party if we listen to comments from voters that admire our party. It was believed a group fenced the in-house opposition during the regime of Alh. Gboyega Oyetola, the former State Governor, and were shortchanged with “dividend” of democracy but to be invited few months to the election which they claimed not to have benefitted from the commencement of its tenure.
“The streets questioned now, if it is not the same playing out should some people be expelled or suspended which may be an indirect way of fencing them from benefiting from Presidency and the recent Blue economy.
“Though, the activities of some of the suspended members during last elections were appalling, yet the Party and some members may not be absorbed for their role too in handling the in-house opposition. Now the elections have and gone, the need to forget the past should not be overemphasized. There any suspension or expulsion is like opening the old wound instead of managing it.
“Essential ingredients of politics is managing crisis. Those expelled or suspended are well known members and pillars of the Party. Membership should not be undermined. If APC frowned at their misdemeanors, the Party was equally a beneficiary of same attitude. What we lost in them, we gained from Wike, Seyi Makinde and others. Therefore, it will not be too much for lovers of the party to overlook the past and forge ahead.
“Our great elders, agba kii wa ojo, ki ori omo tuntun wo, there is urgent need for the elders to intervene in this matter. I humbly appeal that you should prevail on the State Executive Committe of the APC from executing the expulsion and suspension. Call for reconciliation and consolidation of our great party.”
