…Mandate group, Justice forum banned
…I know those peddling rumour of war — Aregbesola
By Ayo Fadimu
This decision was, announced after a meeting of the Council in Lagos. The resolution of the meeting was confirmed by the state APC Chairman and member of GAC, Alhaji Tunde Balogun,
”Yes, it is true; all groups have been dissolved. The decision was taken this afternoon (Tuesday). You are a member of APC and nothing more.
“No more groups within the party. We are all one under the APC,” he said.
Balogun explained that influential groups within the party, such as the Justice Forum (JF) and the Mandate Group (MG) were also affected by the ban.
In the communique signed by 27 party chieftains, they said “it was unequivocally resolved that all factions like JG and MG are inimical to party unity and are hereby permanently disbanded and prohibited within the party.
“Party members should no longer make use of these factions or their names with regard to future party business and activities. To continue to hold meetings in the name of these groups or to continue to promote such associations will amount to a violation of this resolution.
“The only permitted use of the names will be limited to historic references. Any violation of this decision is subject to party discipline, including suspension and expulsion. This prohibition extends solely to official party business. We are in no way trying to abridge anyone’s constitutional rights to free speech or assembly. The party chairman is hereby tasked with promulgating more detailed regulations with regard to prohibited and permissible activities for sub-party groupings.
“The party remains supreme. It has developed structures from the ward level to local government and state levels. These are recognized by the party’s constitution. They are adequate platforms for members to congregate and to present their views.
“The APC in Lagos is one party and one family. We must always act in this spirit if we are to attain the dream of democratic prosperity that we set out to achieve. We must do this in honor of June 12 and those who gave of themselves to make democracy our reality.”
Signatories to the communique include Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, Deputy Governor Femi Hamzat, former Lagos state Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fashola.
Others are: Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, Henry Oladele Ajomale, Bushura Alebiosu, Abiodun Ogunleye, Murphy Adetoro, James Odunmbaku, Tony Adefuye, S.A. Seriki, Olorunfunmi Bashorun, Rabiu Oluwa, M.A. Taiwo, Mutiu Lawal Are, Yomi Finnih, Muyiwa Sosanya, Tunde Samuel, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Rasak Lanre, Mudashiru Adisa Obasa (speaker), Babatunde Balogun, Wale Edun, Ranti Adebule and Kemi Nelson.
There are insinuations in some quarters that Tinubu, and Rauf Aregbesola, his associate, have been in a cold war over who succeeds President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
Although it has not been officially pronounced by the party, it is wildly believed that APC will select its presidential candidate from the South.
There are insinuations that Aregbesola, former governor of Osun state, is interested in running for president in 2023 an ambition that may pit him against his former boss who is also believed to be warming up.
Aregbesola was accused of re-launching political groups in the state without the knowledge of Tinubu, who is regarded as the political leader.
The Mandate Group, made up of Tinubu’s core loyalists, was relaunched by Aregbesola on May 26, 2020 but the former Lagos governor was not in the picture.
Abdullahi Enilolobo, the APC organising secretary in the state, was picked as the new chairman to replace James Odunmbaku, who moved up as the “apex leader”.
Aregbesola was made the grand patron at the meeting which took place at his Ikeja GRA residence.
However, in a swift response, Asiwaju Tinubu vehemently denied any war, either cold or hot between him and Aregbesola.
In a statement he personally signed, Tinubu insisted that the decision of GAC was to promote discipline, harmony and cohesion and engender party supremacy as the APC is one united political family in Lagos.
The Statement read, “ Our attention has, however, been drawn to a report in an online newspaper alleging that the GAC’s appropriate and candid resolution had worsened a phantom cold war between Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
This is a figment of the imagination of the news organization that authored the report. Asiwaju Tinubu remains Ogbeni Aregbesola’s leader. The former governor of Osun State has been unswervingly & wholly committed to the progressive ideology of the Tinubu political family.
There is no war, cold or hot, between them. There has never been and there will never be. Asiwaju believes in him and he believes in the APC leader” the statement read.
Tinubu maintained that the decision was not targeted at any particular individual or collection of individuals but to restate the often-stated position that the only group known to us is APC and not any of the factional groups. It was to renew the commitment to APC and its unity.
“Ogbeni Aregbesola is a strong member of the political family. The GAC position does not imply any division within the group. The resolution is well-meaning and should not be misinterpreted. To do so impulsively as the authors of the report has done is to take the frontier of reporting away from facts to the realm of groundless speculations” Tinubu said.
On his part, the Minister of Interior
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in his reaction debunked claims of nursing presidential ambition in 2023 and also dismissed claims that he is at war with his leader and mentor, Tinubu.
Aregbesola disclosed this in Abuja in his response to a viral report on social media which claimed he is at loggerhead with Asiwaju Tinubu.
The Minister reiterated that his loyalty to Asiwaju is not only total but that his commitment to whatever the leader wants is unwavering.
The minister explained that ‘he knew where the story was coming from and the identity of those sponsoring it.
‘Rift with Asiwaju Tinubu? Nothing can be more impossible! Nothing can be farther from the truth. I remain committed to my mentor,’ Aregbesola said.
He added that “the group our detractors claim has been banned is the most committed to the realization of Asiwaju’s ambition.”
The minister noted “They even said I have presidential ambition. False!”
Aregbesola reiterated that the APC is one, adding that the party is like an oak tree that keeps growing.
He said his focus and goal is to execute his ministerial duties as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The former Governor urged his supporters to ignore the publication in its entirety and refrain from being distracted from the goal of building a strong APC as well as a united Nigeria.
No comments:
Post a Comment