OYO: Your withdrawal is at your own risk, Makinde replies Lanleyin

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Tuesday replied the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator Olufemi Lanlehin that his withdrawal from the coalition with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was at his own risk.

Lanleyin had earlier announced his withdrawal from the coalition with PDP, accusing the governor of insincerity.

But in a swift response, the Oyo governor in a statement by his Special Adviser on Strategy and Political Matters, Babatunde Oduyoye, said that Lanlehin’s decision to exit the coalition was a personal one and did not represent the position of ADC as a party, which had consistently pledged loyalty to the coalition.

Makinde maintained that he has not in any manner betrayed the agreement with all parties in the coalition as he had accommodated all interests.

He also added that he had set in motion procedures to abide by the template for the sharing of positions in government, as well as membership of boards and parastatal.

Governor Makinde noted that the apex committee of the coalition parties had met over three times, with agreements reached, stressing that Lanlehin’s claim of insincerity was a clear affront on his magnanimous disposition in handling all the discussions about the coalition.

The statement reads, “We received with shock, claims credited to the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator Femi Lanlehin, that he has withdrawn his support for the coalition birthed by a number of political parties ahead of the March 9, 2019 election in Oyo State.

“It is more shocking to read Senator Lanlehin’s allegation that his decision was hinged on Governor Seyi Makinde’s infidelity to the coalition agreement.

“That allegation, to say the least, is a clear affront on the sincerity of Governor Makinde and his magnanimous disposition in handling all the discussions about the coalition.

Read also: Crisis hits Oyo multi-party coalition, as Lanlehin accuses Makinde of going against agreement

“Let us also state without equivocation that the claim by the Senator is untrue, unjustifiable and inconsistent with the reality of it all.

“There was no dissenting voice from all the representatives of the parties at the meeting with Governor Makinde. Everyone commended how he handled the matter. Senator Lanlehin only had issues with the other leaders of the ADC on Monday when they were discussing how to share the positions allotted to the ADC.

“He should not in any way attempt to drag the name of Governor Makinde to the frustrations he is encountering in his party.

“If Senator Lanlehin withdraws from the coalition, he must have done so as an individual, because we are aware that the ADC as a party remains an integral part of the coalition as leaders of the party have repeatedly pledged their fidelity to the coalition.

“We believe that the coalition was not put together merely to further any personal aspiration other than the collective interests of the people of Oyo State.”

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