July 20, (THEWILL) – Former Local Government officials in Ogun State have declared their readiness to support and work for the victory of the state Governor, Dapo Abiodun’s second term bid in the 2023 gubernatorial poll.
The officer holders, who served under the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, said that they decided to put the past behind and join Abiodun’s camp of the All Progressive Congress, APC, because they don’t want they party to fail in 2023.
Abiodun, while receiving the ex-functionaries, including chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors and secretaries to the local governments, on Monday, at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, described them as loyal, dedicated and astute grassroots politicians that had served the state diligently in the past.
He recalled the events that led to some members of the party going in different ways in 2018, which caused disagreement and division in the party, saying that he was happy that the former office holders retracted their step and would be welcomed with full hands because of their love for the party.
He said, “In 2018, we all went on a journey, but along the way, we did not agree on how to get to our destination and that caused disagreement and division. Some of you are paying the price of loyalty to leadership.
“We don’t blame you for the steps you took. You followed your leaders, but having seen that where you were going led to nowhere, you retraced your steps. I hereby receive you fully because your love for the party led to this action”, he added.
The governor, who described the returnees as members of the same big APC family, urged them to integrate themselves with the party by going back to their wards, local government areas and join hands with other members to move the party forward.
“Please, go back to your wards, local governments and join hands with others by having meetings with them. I am happy that you are joining us at this moment. This administration operates the policy of inclusiveness. Our doors, windows and arms remain open to all our members who decide to rejoin the mainstream. You have come back to your home”, he noted.
Abiodun, however, called on the members of the APC to accord the returnees the right of bonafide members, assuring that hard work, loyalty and dedication to the party would be rewarded.
The chairman of the party in the state, Yemi Sanusi, while receiving the former local government functionaries back to Abiodun’s camp, said that he was glad that they were not forced to return, but did so out of their own volition.
“It is a thing of joy for a father to receive his children back into the fold after disagreement. It is part of the inclusive policy of the governor. I am happy that the aggrieved members decided to come back. Please go to your various wards and join other members”, he noted.
Sanusi stated that instructions had been given to leaders in the wards and local governments to accommodate the returnees, charging them not to make demands for now, but to join hands with others and work towards achieving set objectives.
