There is unease in the Ekiti state chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC following Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s appointment of political associates of former Governor Ayodele Fayose.
Some stakeholders of the APC on Wednesday, May 15, expressed deep disappointment over the selection of several of Fayose’s loyalists as Special Advisers (SAs) and Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), while APC members have yet to receive appointments.
Stakeholders under the auspices of Concerned Ekiti APC stakeholders in a statement in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday by its convener, Prince Aderobaki Adeleye wondered that despite their numerous sacrifices and contribution to the success of the party in the last governorship poll, appointments were given to members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Describing the action of the governor as unacceptable and capable of creating division in the APC, the stakeholders urged the governor to urgently retrace his step and redress the anomaly in the interest of the party’s survival before it is too late.
He said: “The attention of the Concerned Ekiti APC Stakeholders has been drawn to the recent appointments by His Excellency, Biodun Oyebanji which has unduly favoured known opposition figures who did not contribute anything to the success of the APC, while loyal party members have been sidelined.
“A thorough perusal of the lists of the appointments of SAs, SSAs and others showed that associates of the former Governor, Ayodele Fayose have been unduly favoured to the exclusion of APC members, as loyal party men we view this development as unfair, unjust and a direct affront to our collective sensibilities.
“We understand that besides these appointment slots, the former governor has been enjoying some undeserved benefits and patronages, while leaders of the APC who toil day and night to ensure victories of the party have been left in the cold.
“We therefore call on the national leadership of our party to rein in Governor Oyebanji to urgently correct these missteps in the overall interest and wellbeing of members of our party.
“While we concede to the fact that Fayose is a former governor of the state, the question is how many APC members were given appointments when he was at the helm of affairs in our state.”
When contacted for reaction, the APC state publicity secretary, Segun Dipe dismissed the claims of the stakeholders as unfounded and in bad faith.
He said the governor has been deferring to the party before making appointments, adding that Oyebanji made it clear from inception that he would carry former governors along in his administration irrespective of their political inclinations.
He however advised the aggrieved members to channel their grievances to the appropriate organs of the party that will look dispassionately at their complaints, if any, before going to the press.