APC crises in Ondo, Delta deepen

The crisis rocking the Ondo and Delta states chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a turn for the worse, as efforts at achieving peace and cohesion remain fruitless.

In Ondo State, a group within the state chapter of the Rescue Mission, has alleged that Governor Rotimi Akeredoulu is destroying the chances of President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC of winning the state in the 2019 general elections.

According to the group, if nothing is done urgently to remedy the crack within the party in the state, the 2019 elections will be a Herculean for APC.

Insisting that it was doubtful if Governor Akeredolu can win 10% of votes in the state for Buhari, the group’s Convener, Comrade Micheal Olorunfemi and its Secretary, Ibrahim Sikiru, while addressing newsmen in Akure on Monday, called on the national leadership of the party to wade into the divisions and infighting in the state chapter.

Comrade Olorunfemi said: “All what has been caused by Governor Akeredolu in the state is de-marketing the political future of both the APC and Mr. President.

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“it is clear to all and sundry in Ondo APC that anybody who is not a member of Aketi Group within APC is not a bonafide member of Ondo APC.

“This has gone a long way to create unnecessary opposition and division within the party in the state. As it is observed that virtually all the secretly elected Congress members in Ondo APC are all members of the so-called Aketi Group.

“This Aketi group saga has further disintegrated the party in the state. In fact if not for some party stalwarts who are close to the Presidency, 75 percent of our members would have defected to other political parties.

“This is one major reason why Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has been seriously mobilising against the direct primary for the forthcoming party primaries.

However, in his reaction, the spokesman of APC in the state, Alex Kalejaye denied knowledge of any division in the party.

He said: “I am not aware of any crack in the soul of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State.

“The State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has so far appointed men and women of integrity into the government based on their contributions to the party, and ability to deliver.

“You will agree with me that it is impossible for every dedicated member of the party to be appointed at the same time, considering the limited resources available.”

In a similar vein, efforts of the Delta State chapter of the party at finding lasting peace has again hit the rocks, as the report of the reconciliation moves by its leadership was Monday rejected by one of the major stakeholders, Olorogun Otega Emerhor.

Emerhor, who is the main target of the reconciliation, described the peace moves by the party’s leadership in the state under its chairman, Jones Erue as pretentious and self-serving.

It would be recalled that the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole had in July, convened a meeting between warring members of the party in Abuja where he harped on the need for the reconciliation and urged the party leaders to embrace the Jones Erue led executive in moving the party forward.

The outcome of the meeting led Erue meet with some stakeholders including aggrieved members of the party arising from the ward and local government congresses in the state.

A report of the consultations, which was signed by Erue, said “the interactions were fruitful as everyone affirmed faith in the leadership of the party and undertook to work for peace.”

On his meeting with Emerhor, Erue’s report states: “On Wednesday the 8th of August 2018, the State Chairman had a very fruitful discussion with Olorogun O’tega Emerhor on the need for total reconciliation in the party and he in return promised to pacify his people to embrace the ongoing reconciliatory moves by the party.”

Reacting to the report, Emerhor described it as pretentious, mischievous, disappointing and provocative and was “calculated to misrepresent him and confused the mainstream Delta APC that is under his leadership.”

In a statement issued by his media aide, Aghogho Orotomah, Emerhor insisted that “no peace currently exist in Delta State APC other than the peace of a graveyard.”

The statement reads: “There exist two party Excos in Delta State, one by law, the other by recognition by the National Chairman. There are subsisting court cases that seek to overcome existing illegalities. These court cases will not and cannot be withdrawn unless genuine peace is negotiated.

“A jamboree of visitations cannot cure the existing chasm but only genuine actions can, the mainstream of the party is ready for peace but peace at a fair cost to all.

“It is disappointing and provocative to carry on pretentiously that visits and political talk amount to peace and reconciliation. The wise thing for Erue to do is to use the leverage of him being accorded recognition by the national chairman to point the national chairman to act on his pronouncements on unifying the party. To assume peace has come is to not only pretend but to be mischievous and provocative.

“Those who are quick to celebrate peace and to release interim peace reports should be circumspect as they may inadvertently be creating doubts if truly they seek peace or are celebrating a pyrrhic victory. Let our genuine and collective desire for APC to win and rescue Delta State prevail.”

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