“Oyo APC 2023”: Ajimobi, Buhari, Adekanmbi, Shittu, Lana, Adeyemi, Agbaje, Dairo, Abiola, Oladeji, Repete, Areokuta, Other Bigwigs Grace “Way Forward Conference” Yesterday in Ibadan

“Oyo APC 2023”: Florence Ajimobi, Fatai Buhari, Bimbo Adekanmbi, Bayo Shittu, Gbade Lana, ‘Jide Adeyemi, Akeem Agbaje, Ronke Dairo, Olu Abiola, BAO Oladeji, Afeez Repete, Areokuta, Other Bigwigs Grace “Way Forward Conference” Yesterday in Ibadan.

Chief(Dr) Florence Ajimobi, Senator Buhari Abdulfatai(BAF), Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, Barr. Bayo Shittu, Prince Gbade Lana, Hon. ‘Jide Adeyemi, Barr Akeem Agbaje, Hon. Ronke Dairo, Hon. Olu Abiola, Alhaji BAO Oladeji, Hon. Afeez Repete, Mojaji Isiaka Areokuta, Barr. Sharafadeen Alli and other bigwigs of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Oyo-State have attended the “APC 2023 And The Way forward in Oyo State: Back to Winning Way Conference” which was held yesterday at Ibadan Civic Centre, Idi-Ape in Ibadan.

In Her Excellency’s address, the former First Lady of the state, Chief(Dr) Florence Ajimobi, represented by Hon. Tunji Bolaji, stated that, “It gives me pleasure to be in your midst.
I commend our great party leaders and the organisers of this wonderful program. Indeed, this program is timely and the organisers are progressively visionary.

Dr Ajimobi reaffirmed her commitments and zeal to continue upholding the legacies of the late former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. The legacies she basically described as “unity in the party, good governance and love for people”.

In her own remarks, Oyo APC Caretaker Women Leader, Mrs Mabel Williams maintained that women should be given more chances to lead.

While addressing the gathering, the Senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Dr Buhari Abdulfatai(BAF) cheerfully called “Babaluabi” by his supporters saluted the courage of Oyo APC under the leadership of Chief Akin-Oke and he appealed to all APC stalwarts to see themselves as one big, harmonious, invincible and prosperous family, party, in order to record landslide victory come 2023.

In his own address, former Finance Commissioner in the state, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi fondly called Bimadek by his admirers lauded the organisers of the program and he encouraged Oyo APC stalwarts to remain tenacious as the party is set to coast home victory.

Former Communication Minister and one of the guest speakers at the event, Barr Adebayo Shittu discussed, “Fulfilling Electoral promises: Perspectives of Candidate-elect”. He laid emphasis on having a compelling party manifesto as a key factor that can truly put candidates, office-holders and governments at all strata on their toes. He cited UPN led by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo where free, quality and affordable education was a key gist of their manifesto. UPN, Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) was a Nigerian political party that was dominant in western Nigeria during the second republic (1978-1983). 

Former Oyo Justice Commissioner, Shittu encouraged the party leadership to make APC manifesto to be a compelling one like that of UPN.

Shittu reiterated that the community must also be empowered to periodically demand for accountability from their representatives in government. And he enjoined electorates to resist vote buying.

In his own remarks, Prince Gbage Lana commended the organizers of the event for putting up such program. His speech emphasised, “the roles of party members in supporting candidates and how to know the best to choose.

Lana advised party members to prioritise antecedents of aspirants over money while they are trying to choose their party flag bearers.

“Let me advise us all as party leaders and members to give ‘doing background checks’ of the previous records and activities of any intending aspirant(s) or they-would-be-candidates of the party, before election, to avoid needless litigations after the election”, Lana reiterated.

In his own remarks, an APC Chieftain from the Northern part of the country, Hon. Ahmed Buhari encouraged the party to advance the cause of ‘women participation in politics’ and give the gender equality a topmost priority.

An APC Leader from Ibadan North East Local Government Area, Hon. Olu Abiola discussed”serving environment in grassroot politics.

Abiola advised the National Caretaker Committee and Constitution Review Committee of the party to put mechanism in place to separate government from party. He maintained that the party needs to unburden the governors of the party tasks and concede it to party executives, leaders and elders.

Abiola encouraged formation of elders’ council and strict party discipline to be enshrined in the proposed ‘new APC party constitution’. He commended the commitments and contributions of Hon. Aderonke Dairo of Ibadan North East Constituency-II.

One of the key sponsors of the program and an Aspirant to Oyo-State House of Assembly from Ibadan North East Constituency-II, Hon. Ronke Dairo popularly called, “Aderonke Omo Dairo(AOD)”, encouraged women to participate actively in politics and remain confident that they can do it better than their male counterparts.

Dairo Aderonke discouraged ‘do or die’ politics and fostered unity among the party stalwarts.

“I thank all dignitaries and bigwigs of our party, APC. Thanks for gracing this historic and strategic conference ahead of 2023 General Election, we shall coast home victory. Also, I appreciate all my coordinators, my supporters, leaders and all members of our party for remaining firm and un-shaking, we shall win”, Dairo stated.

While commenting, the representative of Oyo APC Leadership at the event, Hon. Ige Taiwo, lauded Hon. Aderonke for being a key factor and sponsor of the program. He maintained that her action is a giant stride and it will be noted before the National APC Leadership, State Leadership and former First Lady of the state, Chief(Dr) Ajimobi. Ige prayed that may God always guide and guard Aderonke.

In his own remarks, Oyo APC Youth Leader, Mogaji Isiaka Areokuta reiterated promoting spirit of collectivism. Also, he encouraged leaders and members of the party to truly form a formidable front to dislodge current PDP government led by Engr Seyi Makinde in the state

The organizers of the program used the avenue to pay tribute to the late Governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and other progressive fallen heroes in the state, “May Their Gentle Souls Rest in Eternal Peace”.

Others in attendance were Barr. Sharafadeen Alli, Hon. Lawal Akindele Bin Ladin, Hon. Diran Alao, Hon. Sai Rahman, Alhaji Wahab Adebisi(Unique), Hon. Saheed Olaide Adegbite, Hon. Davis Olusegun Okanlawon, Hon. Alonge Babs, Hon. Adedayo Elugbaju, Comrade Siyan,Comrade Monsur Akin-Adeyemo(Socrates) among several others.