In a dramatic turn of events at the Oyo State secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), angry party members voiced their grievances by pelting the National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, and his entourage with sachets of pure water. The outburst of protest stemmed from allegations of marginalization and ill-treatment suffered by the Oyo State chapter of the APC.
Before the incident occurred, Ganduje had addressed party faithful and assured them of the party’s commitment to restructuring itself at various levels, from the ward to the local government, state, and federal levels, in order to attract more members.
Ganduje’s visit included a stop at the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, followed by a private visit to the Ibadan residence of Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who was recovering from a three-month medical trip to Germany.
However, the visit took an unexpected turn when aggrieved party members protested what they perceived as the national body of the APC working against their gubernatorial candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin, during the March 18 gubernatorial poll. The protesters, shouting Folarin’s name, simultaneously pelted Ganduje and his entourage with sachets of water as they were departing from the party secretariat.
Among the grievances expressed by the protesters was their dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s decision not to appoint a member of the APC as a minister but to appoint Mr. Bayo Adelabu, the former gubernatorial candidate of the Accord Party, who was given the works ministry. The protesters also criticized Adelabu for not yet returning to the APC.
Furthermore, the protesters alleged that the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC) had effectively dismantled the Oyo chapter due to its ongoing alliance with Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They raised concerns about the Oyo State government, under the governor’s direction, providing logistics, security, and vehicles for Ganduje and his entourage.
Isaac Omodewu, the Oyo APC chairman, expressed his displeasure, asserting that the state chapter had not received due compensation for its significant contributions to the emergence of President Tinubu in the last election. He cited the challenges faced by the chapter during the election, including hostilities from the PDP government in the state.
Ganduje responded by appealing to all factions and stakeholders within the state to put aside their differences and prioritize peace for the party’s success. He acknowledged the internal strife within the party and emphasized the importance of unity to strengthen the party.
During his visit, Ganduje also commended the efforts of party members in securing victory in the last presidential election and stressed the need for unity moving forward.
In response to the visit, Governor Akeredolu expressed confidence in Ganduje’s ability to lead the party towards progress and development. Akeredolu, who had been recuperating from his medical trip, thanked Ganduje and the party for their prayers and support during his absence. He conveyed his gratitude for being alive and well and assured Ganduje of his full support.
Ganduje, in turn, emphasized the importance of Akeredolu to the party and the country and praised the good governance the governor has provided to Ondo State and Nigeria. He mentioned the party’s intensive prayers for Akeredolu’s health and their appreciation for his leadership.
Ganduje also disclosed that the APC’s National Working Committee had undergone a reformation during Akeredolu’s absence, with the National Chairman and National Secretary resigning. He acknowledged the challenges caused by previous resignations and deaths within the NWC.
