A gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo state, Hon. Abisoye Fagade, has identified selfish interest and lack of party discipline on the part of some few members as responsible for the current crisis rocking the opposition party, warning that the concerned players must learn to put the interest of the party and its teeming members first in their quest to secure the nod to contest elections in 2023.
Fagade, who is the founder and chairman of Oyo-Si-Maa-Dun Foundation, spoke to our correspondent on phone today and expressed dismay over the failure of the party leaders and other stakeholders to resolve all issues relating to the conduct of the state congress of the Oyo APC after similar exercise had been completed in all other states of the federation.
His words; "That Oyo APC is currently in crisis is a fact which nobody can deny but the most important thing is how to get all the concerned stakeholders to bury their hatchet and move the party forward because the time is now for every serious party to start preparing for the 2023 general election. Based on current realities, APC remains the beacon of hope for the good people of the state who are desirous of returning the Pacesetter state to the path of greatness.
"It is time we appealed to all individuals and groups, who feel that having the structures of the party in their kitty is the ideal thing to do now for them to get party ticket and win election in 2023, to have a rethink and allow the fear of God as well as principle of democracy to dictate for them. This is not to apportion blame or look for a scapegoat since almost all the gladiators share the same hijack-the-structure ideology.
"In my opinion, we should allow members at the grassroots have their competent and trusted hands as the executive committee members at Ward and Local Government levels while two major lists for the State Executive Committee should be critical examined with a view to drawing a formidable, pragmatic and Progressive-minded team of party handlers who would be acceptable to the majority.
"Why would someone from a particular zone or local government area be the one polarising other people's zone or local government if we are all genuine democrats? In fact, no aspirant needs to insist on nominating or sponsoring individual or individuals for executive positions because experience has shown that things do not always work out as planned when it matters most. Therefore, all an aspirant needs to do is to prepare his manifestos and sell same to the people while he demonstrates good attributes such as competence, party loyalty, zeal, tact and kindness.
"Above all, I am using this opportunity to enjoin all war-mongers and agents of distabilisation within Oyo APC to embrace peace and civility as we all look for the lasting solutions to the Congress debacle. APC is not owned by any individual or group and we should all be ready to play our part and ensure that we do not compromise the sanctity of participatory democracy and the rule of law.
"Meanwhile, the good side of the present imbroglio is that it has put Oyo state on the spot again as the hotbed of politics in the southern part of the country. This suggests that the national leadership of our great Party should focus more attention on the state and ensure that no stone is unturned to bring all the stakeholders together and make them work assiduously for the success of the APC, at all levels, in future elections." Fagade stated.
