Crisis hits Ondo APC as CPC, ANPP pull out from ward congresses

As the All Progressives Congress, Ondo State Chapter commences its ward congresses today, chieftains of the merged parties, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) have pulled out of the exercise.
Their decision was based on what they described as marginalization of their members, by leaders of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Already, its ward congress has been slated for today, with local, state and national convention
billed for April 12 and 23 as well as May 24 respectively.

In a statement signed by a member, Board of Trustees of the defunct ANPP, Capt. Demola Ariyo; State Chairman of the defunct ANPP, Chief Yemisi Aladesaye; State Chairman of the defunct CPC, Barr. Olalekan Obolo and Governorship candidate of the defunct CPC, Prince Soji Ehinlanwo, “a more credible congress which will accommodate all shades of interest in Ondo State APC would be organized”.
They called on their members to remain calm, stressing that “APC belongs to all of us and not only to a small group of egocentric politicians”.
The statement reads: “Having consulted widely with our members and supporters across Ondo State, we wish to disassociate ourselves from the ongoing congresses organized by a faction of the All Progressives Congress in the state.
“We wish to state for the avoidance of doubt that this decision is predicated on the fact that our members across Ondo State have been marginalized not only during the last membership registration exercise but also in the process leading to this sham congresses.
“We therefore wish to assure all our members and supporters that the party APC belongs to all of us and not only to a small group of egocentric politicians.

“As a result, we enjoin them to remain calm even in the face of the usurpation of their rights and privileges, while they are advised to await directives very soon for a more credible congress which will accommodate all shades of interests in Ondo State APC”.
But in a swift reaction, Interim APC Secretary, Prince Olu Adegboro, described them as ‘jokers’, stressing that the congresses would go on as scheduled.
Prince Adegboro pointed out that no attempt made at sabotaging the congresses would succeed, adding that Chairman of the Congress Committee in the state and former Lagos Deputy Governor, Mr Femi Pedro was already in town to conduct the exercise.
He dismissed allegation that some leaders of the party were marginalized, saying all groups were given a level-playing field.
Adegboro said primary election would be conducted in wards where they were unable to agree on having a consensus candidate.