In a dramatic turn of events within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ifelodun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara State, the party’s local leadership has taken a bold stance against what they perceive as an imposition of leadership. The press conference, led by Prince Owolabi Olatayo Ràzak, the acting APC chairman in Ifelodun LGA, saw a majority of the administrator members gather to express their vehement opposition to the appointment of Lukman Abubakar as the party’s chairman.
The discord within the party traces back to the aftermath of the last general elections, where tensions simmered due to disagreements over the handling of election funds and perceived grievances by certain party officials, notably Prince Sunday Fagbemi, the state party chairman. According to Ràzak, Fagbemi’s alleged divisive tactics and quest for political relevance have led to the current turmoil, with Ifelodun LGA seemingly becoming the battleground for power struggles ahead of future elections.
Ràzak and his supporters accuse Fagbemi of disregarding the party’s constitution by bypassing established succession protocols in the appointment of Abubakar. They argue that the constitution clearly stipulates that in the event of a vacancy in the chairman’s position, the deputy chairman should assume leadership—a provision they claim Fagbemi and his allies have ignored.
Amidst the escalating tensions, the Ifelodun APC leadership is calling upon Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazak to intervene and address the internal strife threatening to destabilize the party’s stronghold in the LGA. They express appreciation for the governor’s leadership but urge him to take a closer look at the situation in Ifelodun LGA and ensure adherence to democratic principles and party processes.
As the rift within the party widens, Ràzak and his supporters are adamant about pursuing constitutional avenues to seek redress, signaling their commitment to upholding democratic values within the party. The press release serves as a rallying cry for party members to unite against what they perceive as undemocratic actions and to safeguard the integrity of the APC in Ifelodun LGA.
The unfolding saga within the APC in Ifelodun LGA underscores the challenges of internal cohesion and leadership dynamics within political parties. As the party grapples with internal strife, the outcome of this dispute will undoubtedly have implications for the party’s future trajectory in Kwara State and beyond.