Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State have accused Governor Biodun Oyebanji of appointing members of opposition parties in the state into his government.
The members under the aegis of Concerned Ekiti APC Stakeholders, alleged that various slots were given to the political associates and cronies of former Governor Ayodele Fayose, in the appointment of special advisers (SAs), senior special assistants (SSAs) among others while deserving APC members were ignored.
The party stakeholders wondered why appointments were being given to known Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in spite of sacrifices and contributions made by APC members in the last governorship elections.
A statement signed by the group’s convener, Prince Aderobaki Adeleye and made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, described the governor’s action as unacceptable and capable of creating division in the APC.
The group urged the governor to urgently retrace his steps and address the anomaly in the interest of the party’s survival before it is too late.
They said, “A thorough perusal of the lists of the appointments of SAs, SSAs and others showed that associates of the former Governor, Ayodele Fayose have been unduly favoured to the exclusion of APC members, as loyal party men we view this development as unfair, unjust and a direct affront to our collective sensibilities.
“We understand that besides these appointment slots, the former governor has been enjoying some undeserved benefits and patronages, while leaders of the APC who toil day and night to ensure victories of the party have been left in the cold.
“We therefore call on the national leadership of our party to rein in Governor Oyebanji to urgently correct these missteps in the overall interest and wellbeing of members of our party.
“While we concede to the fact that Fayose is a former governor of the state, the question is how many APC members were given appointments when he was at the helm of affairs in our state,” they said.
Reacting however, the APC state publicity secretary in the state, Segun Dipe dismissed the stakeholders’ claim as unfounded, saying it was done in bad faith because the governor defers to the party before making any appointment.
He added that Oyebanji made it clear from inception that he would carry former governors along in his administration irrespective of their political inclinations.
He advised the aggrieved members to channel their grievances to the appropriate organs of the party that will look dispassionately on their complaints, if any, before going to the press.
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