Ajimobi’s appointments: APC members protest in Oyo

Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State on Monday protested  alleged lopsidedness in the appointments made by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
The protesters, who carried placards with various inscriptions, are from the 10 local government areas in  the zone.
The protesters took their case to the Governor’s Office at Agodi, Ibadan.
A party chieftain  from the zone, Alhaji Ahmed Ayinla,  said  the protest was to express  displeasure at  happenings  in the APC.
“We worked together and assiduously as a team to deliver nine  out of the 10 local government  councils  to  the governor  for another term.
“The governor requested and collected lists for SUBEB Secretaries, Electoral Officers and Caretaker Committee  Chairmen positions from the party across the 33 local governments.
“We submitted the lists,   but they were not honoured in spite of the governor’s pledge to always consult the party before  making any appointment.
“Many of our members suffered  injuries during the election and are yet to be compensated.
“ Most of these people appointed are not members of our party,” he said.
Alhaji Kareem Adebayo, a party leader from Saki West Local Government Area, also  said  the alleged imposition of   caretaker chairmen was an embarrassment to the party
Adebayo said that it was wrong for the governor to pick the chairmen without consulting the party, adding that party supremacy must be respected.
But addressing the protesters, Dr Morounkola Thomas, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters,  pleaded  for understanding.
Thomas stated that the governor had constituted an  elders council in the party to foster unity, adding there was no way some people would not be aggrieved.
He, however, pledged  that the governor would look into their grievances.
Thomas assured party members that the local government election would be conducted and there would be  credible primaries.
“The governor has inaugurated a committee to look into how a credible primary election in accordance with the constitution of the party will be conducted to pick the party’s candidates,” he said.