Ondo APC Crisis: S/West APC Chairmen Drum Up Support For Kekemeke

Isaac Kekemeke
Isaac Kekemeke

The Forum of State Chairmen of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southwest Zone has declared support for the embattled chairman of the party in Ondo State, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke, who was recently “impeached” by some members of the party in the state.

The Forum called for calm among members of the party in the state.

A statement issued yesterday by the Forum said it would not support the idea of calling for a new chairman at this critical time because Kekemeke had worked hard for the party’s popularity across Ondo State.

The statement was jointly signed by the chairmen in the five other states in the zone: Chiefs Oladele Ajomale (Lagos), Akin Oke (Oyo), Gboyega Famodun (Osun), Jide Awe (Ekiti) and Roqeeb Adeniji (Ogun) and the Zonal Secretary, Mr. Ayo Afolabi.

It expressed concern about the crisis and appealed to members not to allow fifth columnists to infiltrate the party with the aim of preventing it from winning the forthcoming election.

Allaying the fears that the primary might be manipulated in favour of any particular governorship aspirant, the forum stressed that Kekemeke would not have any role to play in the primary because the party’s national leadership would conduct it.

“We like to state that the party will conduct a free, fair, open and credible primary election devoid of any interference from any quarters as was done in Kogi and Edo states.

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“The state party chairman has no role whatsoever to play in the process and conduct of the primary election as the team to conduct the primary will be put together by our party’s national headquarters.

“Up till now, Kekemeke had performed creditably well in mobilising the party. He and his state executive had increased and expanded the party’s acceptance to the generality of the people of Ondo State. The party will, therefore, not be favourably disposed to any clamour for the change of its structure and leadership at this critical time.

“We appeal to all our party members and the governorship aspirants in particular to remain calm, prevail on their individual supporters to allow peace to reign for the conduct of a transparent primary election that will usher in a candidate that will be acceptable to the generality of the people of Ondo State”, the statement read.