By DAPO FALADE
Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, a former governor of Oyo State and leader of the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has assured that he will be neutral and not support any aspirant seeking for elective public offices on the platform of the party in the state.
The former governor, who is also the chairman of the Oyo APC Elders’ Advisory Council, stated this in a statement he personally signed, dated 21 September, 2020 and made available to newsmen.
Recalled that the Elders’ Advisory Council was formed at a meeting held, on Sunday, in the Ibadan residence of Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, with Alao-Akala appointed as the head, in the quest to resolving the factional crisis rocking the erstwhile ruling party in the state.
Addressing the press at the end of the meeting he co-chaired with Chief Alao-Akala, Governor Fayemi had declared that the crisis was over and assured that the Oyo APC, under the leadership of the former governor, was poised to take over the reign of governance in the state in 2023.
Restating the importance of the meeting, Alao-Akala, in the statement, entitled “Oneness and Progress, Our Focus”, said the upheavals in the party have been officially resolved, adding that they have become a thing of the past.
Not unmindful of the import of the assignment ahead of him as the head of the Oyo APC elders’ council, the former governor said his task is a call to duty and service and promised to put in his best in discharging his responsibilities.
“This is a call to duty and service. It is a sacrifice and we are ready to put our best into ensuring that Oyo State regained its pride of place in the comity of states in our great country, Nigeria,” he added.
He said he would be an unbiased elder in the discharge of his duties, adding: “In light of the above, I want to re-assure you all great men and women of the APC in Oyo State that I, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, will remain neutral in the scheme of activities of the party.
“I am not in support of any aspirant for any elective office and will never go against the wish of the people. I am an advocate of internal democracy that will promote oneness and progress. I reiterate categorically that I am against imposition,” he said.
Alao-Akala further assured that all forms of division in the Oyo APC have become a thing of the past saying: “All differences have been resolved and we have become a very happy, united and common front.”
He restated that there are no splinter groups in the party as he declared: “All hatchets have been buried and all groups, bodies and forums have been collapsed into the APC structure. What we have now is the All Progressives Congress, Oyo State chapter.
“Similarly, an Elders’ Advisory Council has also been put in place with my humble self as head. Our core responsibilities shall, among others, include promoting internal cohesion within the party, ensuring fairness and transparency in all activities of the party, maintaining a level playing ground for all, promoting justice and fair play in the party at all levels.
“I have, before now, implored all members with aspiration to keep their ambition for now and join me and others in building a virile and strong party. I am always available and open to everyone.
“I hereby put all members on notice that an expanded, all-inclusive meeting shall be held soon to further cement our oneness. I re-assure you all, once again, that I am committed to leading our party to victory come 2023.”
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