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An aspirant in the recently conducted All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Kogi West, Dr. Toyin Akanle has called on his teeming supporters to remain calm and law abiding as efforts are on to reclaim the ‘stolen’ mandate.
In a statement personally signed by Akanle and made available to Kogireports, the former security chief stated that the National Appeal Committee of the APC headed by Prof. Osunbor upheld his appeal and recommended that he should be given ticket to fly the party flag in Kogi West.
He noted that though the recommendation had since been forwarded to the party chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, those who “stole” the mandate through a sham of primaries are not resting on their oars too.
The statement read: “We have come a long way since we started this project. The journey has been a tasking one, with several challenges at various times. What, ab initio, started with just a handful of persons that l shared my vision with. But to the glory of God, before the events of 3rd October, the Project had snow balled into a Movement, permeating all nooks and crannies of Kogi West. We enjoyed a prime of place in in terms of acceptability and support. Even in places where we had initial apprehensions that our aspiration may suffer suffer some set back in terms of acceptability, it was not to be so.
“I must confess that the kind of household and across party divides acceptance we received was unprecedented.
For this, l want to specially thank the DG, the Akanle Leaders Forum, our Coordinators at all levels and every member of Team Akanle for your commitment and hard work. You were simply wonderful and l appreciate you all.
“I wouldn’t want to comment so much on the events of 2nd and 3rd October, 2018 at Kabba. Majority of you were there and were therefore witnesses to all that happened. That is now history, but the consequences of it all will remain with us for several years to come.
“That delegates were disenfranchised, is no longer news. That our own people allowed themselves to be goaded into behaving discreditably, is no longer news. That some of our kinsmen, whom we thought should be honourable but were not, is no longer news. That there was flagrant abuse of processes and procedures, is no longer news.
That even our supposed brothers and sisters allowed themselves to be used to scuttle our common goals and aspirations, is no longer news. That political appointees, the elected, and party officials were conscripted to truncate our aspiration for transformative representation, and this they did shamelessly, is no longer news. That this category of people have been identified as enemies of our collective will and aspirations is a sad narrative that we have to live with and for which our children yet unborn will be told of how they capsized the ship of our political emancipation and progress.
“We can go on and on. But in all these that they did we remained calm. Suffice to say that, if all that they did, they were on the receiving end, heavens would have been let lose. Violence would have broken out and lives would have lost. While some of the delegates wanted to go that route, we appealed to them against such. Not that we were cowards, no, far from it. But that we reasoned and rightly too, that the attendant wanton destruction of properties and the spilling of innocent blood that would have trailed such violence, was not worth it. We chose to be different. We chose to display what leadership was all about.
“The provocation was high, the intimidation was high, the verbal and physical assaults was uncalled for, more so since we were suppose to be members of the same party. But in all these, we did not lose our guard. Undoubtedly, all these have left negative imprints in the sands of time. Their names and their activities have definitely found place in the Hall of Shame of Kogi West political history.
“Many may think the game is over, but me say a categorical NO. Just like in the game of soccer, there is a half time and even extra time. Dare l to say that this is just the end of the first half. The whistle for the commencement of second half will soon be blown. And need be, there will be an extra time. The end of a matter is better than the beginning. This is of a truth that cannot be shaken.
“At this juncture, let me again appreciate you for your patience and abiding faith in all these. I know some of us have been agitated, some almost giving up, but again, we cannot afford to disappoint you. We need to follow the party’s procedure and guidelines.
“For some of our members, they have for long cautioned us on where we were pitching our tent, which they thought needed to be reconsidered. Others did talk of Option B. Yes, we want to appreciate you for your counsel, as it has somewhat, proven to be wise in the present circumstances. At the same time l take responsibility for the decision taken. But in doing this, let me quickly add that, it is not over, until it is over. Suffice to say that, there are certain things am privy to that you may not. There are certain considerations that l made that l had to make. But in all these, where and how it will end is what matters most. We should therefore, keep hope alive, believing that in due course justice will be done.
“You may want to ask and rightly so, what next? Since after the Kabba débâcle, We have not rested on our oars to reclaim the mandate. I am sure you’re aware as much as l am that the primaries was fraught with several irregularities, just as it was all over the country. However, one good thing is that the constitution of the party has provision for appeal by aspirants who have reasonable grounds to so do.
“That l appealed against the outcome of the Kogi West Senatorial primaries is no longer news. That the National Appeal Committee, headed by Prof. O Osunbor, after due consideration of the grounds of my appeal, upheld same and recommended that I should be the one to fly the party’s flag in Kogi West.
“The recommendation was forwarded to the party’s NWC for which Adams Oshiomhole is the Chairman, for approval and implementation. However, all efforts to get justice through the NWC, is yet to materialise. We have done all that is humanly possible in this direction, but one challenge or another is always thrown our way at every turn.
“Those who “stole” the mandate through a sham of primaries are not resting on their oars too. More so, since the chief sponsor of the charade is all over throwing his weight everywhere, using everything and all things to ensure his imposed candidate scales through.
“This is a tough fight for which only time will tell where the pendulum of victory will swing. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to say when this will happen. But l am confident that God is able to complete that which He has started.
Let me hurriedly but humbly say that in my last post, someone responded that l was constantly alluding to God on this project. I am hereby reiterating it that the project is divine. It is His project. I and you are only vessels in His hands. It goes beyond me and you. He knows how and when best to intervene.
“What l can confidently say, is that l have the assurance and peace to declare that it is not over, until it is over.
This is more so, because sooner the later, those who have been hoodwinked or those with scales covering their eyes, will have the scales drop off and reality will set in. Why am l so confident? Again, it is because it is God’s own project. And whosoever stands His way shall be uprooted. To all those who think l am sermonising, please bear with me this one more time. This is because l see God in it from the beginning to the end.
“Again, many have called to advise that the time is now to activate Plan B. I believe this is because of their genuine concern. I have not failed to also tell them and repeatedly too, that while that option looks brilliant, it is also fraught with political landmines. And for that and other reasons, may not be a viable option. I know many of us still think and also believe that it is the best way to go, but l believe, so also some of us, that running from pillar to post may not be an option for now.
“Others have also advised that we challenge the outcome of the primaries in court when all means of redress fails. That again looks good, but will have to be critically thought out and assessed. As taking the party to court in this regard is a 50/50 chance. We either win or loose. Should we therefore embark on an exercise that we cannot guarantee the positive outcome?
“Many have also whispered it, that they were waiting for directives as to whom to support between Senators Dino Melaye and Smart Adeyemi. Some have even said “Dino Melaye, though not worthy of their thumping up for, I a lesser evil”; and that they will rather route for him. Distinguished members of Team Akanle, on this l chose to remain silent. As this is one of the times that silence is golden.
“You may then ask me again, what next? For me this is a difficult question to answer. But while appreciating your steadfastness and commitment to this project, l want to specifically and categorically state here that, we still have many rivers to cross to get to where we desire for Kogi West to be. But we shall get there and in no distant future.
The vehicle that will take us there is already parked. And having assessed that Team AKANLE has taken up the features and characteristics of a Movement, which will transcend the borders of Kogi West, l believe that we need to re-strategize so that our dream could become a reality in due season.
“For me and some others that l know, we will not rest on our oars, we refused to be defeated, we keep our hopes aglow. The situation may look bleak and unclear just like a cloudy sky, giving a hope of rains, we are confident that after darkness comes light. Darkness may run all night, but light comes in the morning.
“Finally, l want to once again salute the courage of each and every one of you for your loyalty to this course. I share in the grief and pains you’re going through arising from the air of uncertainty that pervades everywhere. I am most grieved. I am most pained. But quitting is not an option. I will not. And am sure several others who love to see the transformation of Kogi West from what it is presently, will not consider quitting as an option.
“Let me conclude by saying that as we wait patiently for what next, l dare to say, there is light at the end of the tunnel. While thanking you for your time taken.”
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