Public Lecture: APC Chieftain, Hon Akeem Adebiyi Sensitises Party Members
Afeez Bello,
Ibadan, Oyo State.
As part of its effort to orientate and instill the spirit of progressivism in the hearts of its members, a liberal movement within Oyo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, named Oyo State APC Progressive Movement, Oluyole Local Government Chapter organised a public lecture for its members on Sunday, February 2, at Olunde Primary School Community Hall, Olunde, Ibadan.
While delivering the lecture titled,”In Search of A Competent, Efficient, Honest And Trustworthy Representative In The Governance System Among The Progressives Under Constitutional Democracy, the Chieftain of the party in the State, Hon. Akeem Adebiyi noted that APC Progressive Movements could be described as an intervention movement within Oyo APC which God uses Barr. Lowo Obisesan and other leaders for its establishment.
The lecture was premised on Historical perspective of Progressivism in Nigeria body politics from 1951 till date which connotes how progressive party lost its ideologies; challenges of the party, restoring the lost progressive ideas which will culminate in the emergence of pro-people representation in the party.
The lecture endear the attention of the dignitaries and congregrants when Adebiyi took them to the history of the evolution of progressive party in Nigeria from Action Group (AG), down to the current ruling party in the country, All Progressives Congress (APC).
He noted, the party was founded by the late Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and some progressives leaders, with the motto – Life More Abundance For The Masses, in 1951, to drastically reduce the influence of NCNC in the western region which they succeeded.
“What they call progressive was how efficient standard of living would be achievable for all. The most prominent part of its programme is Universal Primary Education (UPE) since the leadership of the party observed that not everyone has access to education. Free Education was implemented to close the gap between the children of the masses and the rich. Free health care; Agriculture – which connotes the establishment of farm settlements, Cocoa and Cashew Production etc; and the best structured Civil Service in the Country was one of the successes and achievements of Action Group.
“The Crisis of Action Group (AG), in the early 60s marked the end of the first republic and the party metamorphosed to Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in the 1979 Second Republic. Chief Awolowo remained the leader of the newly formed party which came with an all-important four cardinal programmes such as Free Education, Free Health Care Services, Rural Development, and Mass Employment. Late Chief Bola Ige, Jakande, Onabanjo, Ajaasin of Oyo, Lagos, Ogun and Ondo State respectively reenacted Free Education in their respective States and did well in housing programs etc. Ige established Schools and long-lasting education materials like lockers and chairs were provided for schools to enhance the standard of education, unlike the current administration in the state which have lopsided its standards. Chairs and lockers provided by Ige’s Administration can still be found in some schools today.
“During this period, the reward system of the progressives party was very encouraging and served with justice. Dedicated and committed party members were rewarded. There is no members that would not benefit in one way or the other. Scholarship were provided for the brilliant and intelligent children of party members. Various Contracts were rolled out to party members irrespective of their professions. Progressives did not deprived its members of any opportunities. Even if the party member is dead, the reward would be given to one of his children.
The agitation for the emergence of the third republic in the early 90s brought about the establishment of a two party system in the country. Majority of the Progressives in the country were in Social Democratic Party (SDP). Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, an ally of National Party of Nigeria (NPN), also joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP). However, the third republic was aborted by the military junta. The unrelenting efforts of the progressives bring about the Civilian government of the Fourth Republic. The progressives however, formed a new party, Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1998. The newly formed party, Alliance for Democracy (AD) emerged victorious in the Local Government Election that was conducted in the Southwest region. Their programs were uniformed. I, was awarded a contract of 100 metre drainage during Lam Adesina Era in the 4th republic.
“Progressives were not of the idea of syphoning government money; personalize governmental administration. power mongers and money bags are now coming to grab the tickets in the party. They don’t understand how progressives operate, the delimitation of wards etc. The idea of turning against party members and the people, after being elected into political offices by these powermongers is draining the credibility of the progressive party and it’s resulted in failure upon failure.
“The emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu marked the first time that a Progressive Bold Symbol would be at the centre not only within the party but within the governance system. What he met on ground is hindering progress in the country. The current government in Lagos, Ondo and Ekiti etc. are great examples of progressive governments, unlike the current administration in Oyo State that is destroying the vegetation and selling all the available lands. Housing estates, quarters and reserved areas have been converted to properties. It abadoned free education, free health services and reconstructed good roads leaving bad roads untouched. I pray and hope we take back Oyo State, come 2027.
Speaking on the challenges of the party, Imposition, highandedness, lopsidedness, lack of focus and corrupt practices etc. have negative effects on the party. One of the challenges of progressive is leadership. The leadership should ensure that an upright personality represents the party in government. A gluttonous person should not be made party chairman and the party executives should be people of integrity. New moneybags should not come and use the resources to inhibit the emergence of party members who are dedicated and committed to party progress since 1999. So anyone that will be representing the party in government should have integrity, and understands the terrain from ward to state level. Lack of maintaining progressive status quo rattled progressive politics in Oyo State. Numerically, APC is more than the PDP but the winner takes and possesses all, corruption, led the party to the current situation in the state. For instance, a candidate emerged for State House of Assembly in Oke-Ogun zone, the ticket was later hijacked from him and handed over to a co-aspirant that brought money to the people in charge. The person fainted immediately after the news reached where he was celebrating the ticket. Various anti-party activities came into play during the last electioneering. A true progressive that wanted to leave the party will protest and leave honourarily unlike staying in the party and digging its fall.
“Any new comer must have had a family member who are progressives and he might be honoured based on his commitment of the person. Progressive party always called people to come and serve. For instance, Chief Bisi Akande encouraged Tinubu to run for President before he agreed. Party Representatives must extend the hand of fellowship to those that gave them the ticket.
“Anyone that want to represent the party in government should be a person of integrity that understand the terrain of the party, know the party members. The party should not consider money alone in choosing its representatives. In those periods, progressives contribute money for any candidates that don’t have the financial wherewithal to contest. They don’t deal with the highest bidder whom his or her family have not contributed to the progress of the party.
“Adequate representation in some federal constituency in the state is very appalling. A representative should be for all party members, be accessible, be a good coordinator, and human capital developer, not the one that will polarize the party. He lauds Late Prince Musiliu Olaide Akinremi Jagaban of Ibadan North Federal Constituency, for his pro-people and efficient representation. Akinremi facilitated various appointments and employment for his constituents. There’s no one in Ibadan North that doesn’t have a form of benefits in one way or the other from Prince Akinremi Jagaban since the welfare of his constituents is his priority. That’s the typical example of progressive politician. Anyone that we want to choose as representative should have good history, he submitted.
“In his Welcome Address, Alhaji Jelili Aboderin Fakeu applauded all the attendees and leaders from the 6 geopolitical zones of the State that witness the historical program. He described Oluyole as the Local Government of the progressives. He assured everyone that APC will take over the state in 2027. He urged all the attendees to pay rapt attention to the lecture since it will be beneficial to all. He lauded Barr. Obisesan for his outstanding efforts on Oyo APC Progressive Movement.
In his remarks, Prince Abass Ayodeji Aleshinloye noted people tend not to listen to lectures they’ve been attending and it inhibit them from learning lesson in it. Progressive party was premise on Concept of Omoluabi Ethos which is the value that portrayed us as Yoruba. The progressive party was hinged on that values. The MC was saying our guest lecturer was delivering the lecture offhand, yes, he doesn’t need to read before he deliver the lecture since experience is learning and learning is experience. He has experienced and went through it so it is easy to read out. You can be reading and be making mistake, but on what you’ve accumulated, there is no way you can made a mistake. He deserve the credit for the lecture and I appreciate him. I was born into progressive folds, my mother was a women leader in Oluyole Local Government Area. I participated in campus politics during my days in University. So I’ve been in the politics since the second Republic but I first contested in 1998 when I accompanied Chief Bola Ige to Ibadan. We were members of NADECO and I was the National Coordinator, Youth Wing “Hope ‘93”. I was encouraged to come and contest in Ibadan that was when I learnt what they call progressive. Progressive is more than moneybag and I must win mentality. I came out first in the party screening and primaries but the ticket was given to the runner-up, the party leaders said since they know him very well, and he has been contributing to the activities of the party. With the intervention of Alhaji Lam Adeshina, the leaders still insisted on their agreement. I agreed and waited for my time. Lam made me the Secretary of the Campaign Organization, I was the youngest then. He commended Barr. Low Obisesan and Fakeu for their contribution to the progress of the party in the state.
Showing appreciation, Aare Alasa Balogun Ibadan, Oloye Lowo Obisesan, expressed his gratitude for the award presented to him by the leaders of Oyo APC Progressive Movement, Lagelu Chapter. He lauded Adebiyi for his outspokenness in delivering an all important lecture. Let’s reward whoemever that have helped us since those that do not appreciate their helpers will be rewarded by almighty God, he encouraged. He also commended Prince Alesinloye for his contribution to the politics and governance in Oluyole Local Government.
In attendance: Baale Olurinde (Olunde),
Dijo ogundiran (Chairman APC progressive movement), Elder Ogundare Oyetola, Elder Liadi Akande, Hon. Dada Fatoyinbo, Aare Abeeb Balogun, Hon. Wasiu Akere, Hon Kazeem Orelope (Former Chairman, Oluyole LGA), among several others.
