By Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti
The Progressives Congress (APC), in Ekiti state has described the alleged exclusion of Tinubu men in the APC stakeholders meeting held last week in Ado-Ekiti as malicious lie, aimed at discrediting the parly.
The heritagenewsng reported the news of resentment expressed by the core loyalists of former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on how they were allegrdly ostracised from attending a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the state State chapter of the party last week.
The meeting held within the precinct of the Government House, in Ado Ekiti , was attended by Governor Kayode Fayemi, his Deputy, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, Minister of Trade and Industry, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, National Assembly members, State Executive Committee and former political office holders.
Part of the issues discussed included: The coming congreses, party discipline and unity, continuous registration exercise, and support for the present administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi .
But at the meeting, the Presidential Adviser on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojudu, whose conspicuous absent was noticed revealed that he was invited to the meeting, but could not attend due to official engagements .
“Yes, I can confirm to you that I was invited . I got a text message inviting me , but I couldn’t make it because I have to be with the Vice President , Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in Jigawa and Kano States on for official assignments.
“I really apologise to our members for this and I seek their understanding”.
But Adeyeye, who is the National Chairman of a pro-Tinubu group christened Southwest Agenda for 2023 (SWAGA), confirmed to journalists that he and top members of the group were precluded from the meeting.
He said: “I was not invited . I don’t know anything about the proposed meeting. I didn’t get invitation from anyone”, Adeyeye said.
In a swift reaction, the APC in Ekiti described Adeyeye’s claim as a blantant lie, and pamaliciously coordinated media aimed at discrediting the stakeholders meeting.
The Party in a statement signed by the State APC Caretaker Working’s Public Relations Officer, Ade Ajayi, said all efforts were taken to ensure that notice of the meeting elreached every concerned person.
The party disclosed further that all efforts were taken towards ensuring that no one that matters or concern was excluded, “including the placement of adverts in national dailies, the broadcast of jingles on radio stations, and the posting of posters at the state party secretariat and branches across the state.
“Indeed you can force a horse to the river, but can not force it to drink and the most difficult person to wake is the one who pretends to be sleeping.
“We can not force anyone to drink from the fount of peace and reconciliation that is flowing freely amongst members of the party in the state. As a party, we shall do all within our power to encourage all members to participate in genuine efforts to reconcile all parties and build one big and united family.
“As was stated clearly at the meeting and the communique issued thereafter, all members of the party are enjoined to desist from promoting any interests above the interest of the party. It is the resolute position of the party that all bonafide members are welcome, and no one would be left behind in matters that concern the party.
“We encourage those bent on causing divisions amongst us to stop lying – you were all notified of the meeting, like everyone else. You are all invited to join the rest of us in the ship of unity and progress. As Ekiti people, that is the honourable thing to do”. APC added.