The national secretary ACCORD, Hon (Dr) Adebukola Ajaja has affirmed the authenticity of Prince Kolade Ojo-led state working committee of the party in Oyo state.
Dr Ajaja, who reiterated that the purported dissolution of the state party executives was in contravention of ACCORD constitution and guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, clarified that the national secretary is saddled with the constitutional power to convene meeting where such decision ought to have been taken and that the supposed dissolution letter ought to be signed by the national secretary and the chairman but nothing of such occurred.
She made this known at the enlarged stakeholders meeting of ACCORD convened by the state secretary, Hon. Olayinka Dairo in Ibadan.
The ACCORD national secretary reiterated that the present state executives with Prince Kolade Ojo as chairman and the secretary, Hon. Olayinka Dairo remained the legally recognized working committee until another party congress.
“It is null and void for one man to take decision without carrying the national secretary along or informing other members of the national caretaker committee before arriving at such decision”.
Dr Ajaja while appealing to all party members to maintain unflinching loyalty to the party and be united, promised that all members would benefit from dividends of democracy in the second term of Governor Seyi Makinde.
The ACCORD national secretary stated that the coalition with Governor Seyi Makinde by the state working committee was a necessary rescue step, though which she was not aware of until the agreement was sealed, adding that a good parent would not throw away erring baby with water.
She pointed out that lack of synergy and complaints of one man show exhibited by the governorship candidate of ACCORD, Chief Adebayo Adelabu during the last general elections made the coalition imperative.
Dr Ajaja restated that ACCORD has not collapsed structure for the People’s Democratic Party, PDP but only worked with Governor Seyi Makinde in the overall interest of the state.
Earlier in an address of welcome, the state chairman of ACCORD, Prince Kolade Ojo urged party supporters to keep their faith in the party and show accommodating disposition to defectors from other parties.
Speaking further on the agenda of the meeting, the member representing Iseyin/Iwajowa/Itesiwaju and Kajola federal constituency at the Green Chamber, Hon. Shina Peller pointed out that the coalition with Governor Seyi Makinde was based on political technicality, thorough evaluation and unbiased analysis of his achievements in many sectors, especially the development of Oke-Ogun area.
Hon. Peller noted that the alliance was in consideration of continued good governance and betterment of party members and people of Oyo state in general.
“We thank God that parochial political interest or religious sentiment did not becloud our reasoning in making political decision”, he said.
The meeting had in attendance local government and ward executives, party members and leaders, including Chief Olu Abiola from Ibadan North East, the ACCORD Senatorial Women Leader, Princess Fasilat Oyeniyi, Oyo North Senatorial Chairman, Chief Gbenga Adekunle, party leader from Ogbomoso zone, Engineer Bello as well as party candidates during the last general elections: Hon. Robert Atilola from old Ifedapo federal constituency, Hon. Philips Kasupo, Lagelu/Akinyele federal constituency, Hon. John Olukunle (Success) from Ibadan North East state constituency 1, Hon. Bablo Akinyele, state constituency, Hon. Fatoki Tobiloba, Lagelu state constituency, Hon. Gbenga Awosoro, Iwajowa state constituency, among others.