As the governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State is fast approaching, some members of the splinter group, The Osun Progressives (TOP), have renounced their membership in Owena, Oriade Local Government Area of the state, AMILOADED reports.
The party loyalists attributed their decision to dump the caucus to collectively build and strengthen APC for future electoral victories and successes.
Speaking on behalf of the TOP members who have returned to the mainstream APC in the state, the TOP leader in the axis, Mr. Oyediran Mikaheel, said they resolved to return to the mainstream of the party structure after they were convinced by the way and manner the leadership of the party has managed their grievances over time.
Mikaheel who said over 500 TOP members have renounced their membership in Owena, Ikeji-Arakeji and environs, promised to work in unison to ensure victory for the party in the forthcoming governorship election.
The APC stalwart who appeared elated to have returned home, said it was not a good decision to suffer for the party throughout its metamorphosis from Alliance for Democracy (AD) to Action Congress (AC) to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and now All Progressives Congress (APC) that would pray for the party to fall.
He declared the returnees’ readiness to support Governor Adegboyega Oyetola-led administration in the state.
He said, “We are very happy to return home. This is our party. This is where we belong. This is the party that we all built and we can’t afford to allow our house to collapse. We may have misunderstanding and disagreements as brothers, what is important is to resolve whatever that happened between us, that is what we are doing today.
“I was a strong member of TOP in the entire Oriade Local Government, if not beyond, but I thank God today that I have seen good reasons to return to the mainstream party. We left for obvious reasons and we returned in the interest of unity, progress and development of the party.
“We have returned for good. We are solidly behind the party and we are ready to work for its success. As you can see, my followers are here; some have come and gone because of other engagements and those who couldn’t make it here are fully back home.
“I am using this medium to assure our people that no effort will be spared to ensure victory for the party and above all, Governor Oyetola in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.”
Mikaheel enjoined the returnees to put the past behind them and forge ahead to build a virile and healthy party in the interest of all.
Receiving the returnees, APC Chairman, Oriade Local Government, Hon. Gbenga Ajewole, commended them for their boldness and sincerity, saying their decision was “a pointer to the fact that APC is one and united entity”.
He implored the party members to remain resolute and committed to the leadership structure of the party, saying necessary mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that every member of the party benefits in one way or the other.
In his remarks, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, who was represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Adebisi Obawale, expressed gratitude to the returnees and assured them of equal treatment and opportunity.
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