By Ariyo Michael.
All is not well in the Kabba District chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi state as different interest groups jostle for control of the party.
This current crisis is coming few months after the successful outing of APC in Kabba during the November 16 Governorship and Kogi West senatorial elections. The victory was achieved through the collective efforts of party structure led by the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Prince Matthew Kolawole and returning members led by Chief Benjamin Olowodola.
The brewing crisis that has divided the APC in the district into two sharp factions might not be unconnected to the desire of both camps to grab plum appointments in the second term administration of Governor Yahaya Bello.
The Olowodola group re-joined APC after the reconciliation between Governor Yahaya Bello and the party’s deputy governorship candidate in the 2015 election, Hon. James Faleke.
The crisis has been raging behind the scenes until the new entrants met last week in Kabba and endorsed Olowodola as the leader of the party in Kabba District. This resolution didn’t go down with Kolawole-led group who argued that as the highest political office holder from the area, his leadership should not be challenged.
In the meeting where Olowodola was adopted as the leader, party stalwarts posited that time has come to adopt an individual as a rallying point and political leader.
Speaking at the meeting, the vice chairman of APC in Kabba-Bunu local government, Chief Oloniyo said the adoption was borne out of Chief Olowodola’s commitment towards the development and progress of the people.
In attendance at the meeting were party executives at ward and local government levels, retired Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Elder Jimmy Olumidi, Elder Steve Makun, Elder Ayodele Adeniyi, a Lagos-based business man; Colonel Yomi Dare (rtd), former member Kogi state House of Assembly and immediate past special adviser to the governor, Jethro Funsho Oni.
Others are Ade Olamife, former Kogi west senatorial candidate, Omoluabi Bode Adeyemi, Chief Julius Arokoyo, Chief Ajibade, Chief Fred Aiyenale, Segun Olorunpomi, Hajia Rekiya Alfa and many political leaders of APC in Kabba.
However, in a swift response, the the group loyal to the Assembly Speaker insisted that Kolawole, being the highest political office holder in the area, remains the leader in Kabba/Bunu in line with the party constitution and practice across the country.
The party executives led by Hon Elisha Olorunmosule aka Medusa appealed to Olowodola and his group to play the game by its rules as the party will henceforth not tolerate any attempt to cause division within its ranks.
“The leadership of the party is becoming worrisome of the activities of his group since they returned to the party few months ago,” the executives said in their response.
It was gathered that the crisis has gone beyond the choice of who will lead the party as the returnees have concluded plans to mount pressure on Governor Bello to remove Kolawole as Speaker of the House and gift Kabba the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) position in his stead.
The Olowodola group has reportedly reserved the SSG position for a former governorship aspirant from Kabba, Engr. Olusola George Olumoroti. They have agreed Kolawole’s current position be traded off to Yagba or Lokoja-Koto federal constituency.
The factions has brought the fight for leadership to the public domain as supporters of both camps has been engaging each other on the social media. Three days ago, discussion on the issue of party leadership became chaotic on a Whatsapp platform dedicated to issues relating to Kabba-Owe community. It took the intervention of Engr Olumoroti to douse rising tension.
In his intervention, Olumoroti urged APC supporters to sheath their swords and look at the bigger picture.
“I want to use this medium to appeal to all APC members to sheath their swords on the ongoing leadership tussle controversy. For the avoidance of doubt there is no contention as to who is what within the APC hierarchy but we must not allow mischief makers divide the APC family in KabbaBunu, instead we should explore our political influence to bring dividends of democracy to our communities, empower our party faithfuls and reposition the party strategically for greater successes at the next elections.
“We respect our leaders in person of Baba Olowodola and the speaker, Rt. Hon Kolawole, both of them have contributed in no small measure to what APC is today in KabbaBunu, and we value your commitment and sacrifices.
“This argument of which leader is senior is needless and must be avoided. The KabbaBunu APC leadership is working round the clock to resolve whatever differences or misunderstanding that may have arisen for a stronger and more united political family. Our ultimate goal should be to get the best for our community in the next tenure of Yahaya Bello,” he said.
