Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State are expressing discontent over the appointment of former Governor Ayodele Fayose’s loyalists into political offices.
According to Prince Aderobaki Adeleye, the convener of the Concerned Ekiti APC Stakeholders, despite their significant sacrifices and contributions to the APC’s success in the last election, appointments have been given to members of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Adeleye emphasized that such actions are unacceptable and could potentially create divisions within the APC. He called on Governor Abiodun Oyebanji to address the issue promptly “in the interest of the party’s survival before it is too late.”
He stated, “Recent appointments by Governor Biodun Oyebanji have unduly favored known opposition figures who did not contribute anything to the success of the APC, while loyal party members have been sidelined.”
“A thorough perusal of the lists of SAs, SSAs, and others showed that associates of former Governor Fayose have been unduly favored to the exclusion of APC members. As loyal party members, we view this development as unfair, unjust, and a direct affront to our collective sensibilities,” he added.
“We understand that besides these appointments, the former governor has been enjoying some undeserved benefits and patronages, while leaders of the APC who toil day and night to ensure victory for the party have been left in the cold. We, therefore, call on the national leadership to rein in Governor Oyebanji to urgently correct these missteps in the overall interest and wellbeing of party members.”
“While we concede to the fact that Fayose is a former governor, the question is how many APC members got appointments when he was at the helm of affairs in our state.”
However, the APC Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, dismissed the claims as unfounded and made in bad faith.
Dipe clarified that Governor Oyebanji has always consulted the party before making appointments, adding that he had made it clear from the onset that he would carry former governors along in his administration irrespective of their political inclinations.
He advised the aggrieved members to channel their grievances to the appropriate organs of the party.
