Party describes stakeholders’ claim as unfounded
A group, under the auspices of the Concerned Ekiti APC Stakeholders, yesterday, expressed disappointment over the way Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s recent appointments have favoured opposition figures in the state.
The stakeholders specifically mentioned various slots allegedly given to political associates of former Governor Ayodele Fayose, to include Special Advisers (SAs), and Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), among others.
The group alleged that despite their numerous sacrifices and contributions to the success of the party in the last governorship election, appointments were being given to known figures in the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The stakeholders, in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti and signed by its Convener, Aderobaki Adeleye, described the action of the governor as unacceptable and capable of creating division in the APC.
They, therefore, urged the governor to urgently retrace his steps and redress the anomaly in the interest of the party before it is too late.
“The attention of the Concerned Ekiti APC Stakeholders has been drawn to the recent appointments by Governor Biodun Oyebanji, which has unduly favoured known opposition figures who did not contribute to the success of the APC, while loyal party members have been sidelined.
“A thorough perusal of the list of the appointment of SAs, SSAs and others showed that associates of the former Governor Ayodele Fayose have been unduly favoured to the exclusion of APC members. As loyal party men, we view this development as unfair, unjust and a direct affront to our collective sensibilities.
“We understand that besides these appointment slots, the former governor has been enjoying some undeserved benefits and patronages, while leaders of the APC that worked day and night to ensure victories of the party have been left in the cold.
“We, therefore, call on the national leadership of our party to rein in Oyebanji to urgently correct these missteps in the overall interest and wellbeing of members of our party.
“The question is how many APC members were given appointments when Fayose was at the helm of affairs in the state?”
BUT when contacted for a reaction, the state’s Publicity Secretary of the APC, Segun Dipe, described the claim of the stakeholders as unfounded and in bad faith.
According to Dipe, the governor has been consulting the party before making any appointment.
He added that Oyebanji made it clear from inception that he would carry former governors along in his administration, irrespective of their political inclinations.
He, however, advised the aggrieved members to channel their grievances to the appropriate organs of the party before going to the press.
