*Oladipupo Emerges Chairman
*Thugs Allegedly Loyal To Rep Unleash Violence Over Outcome, As Police Intervene
Oluyole Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo State has taken a bold step towards fulfilling its promise of tripling its votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 election with the emergence of Prince Dotun Oladipupo as the new Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the LGA.
A chieftain of the party and former Council Chairman in the Local Government, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, made the declaration shortly after the conclusion of the party’s Local Government congress held at Olomi Primary School, today.
While congratulating the new Chairman and his executives, Olaosebikan said that he was pleased that the party was able to elect a popular Chairman whom he described as not just competent but capable and with great leadership skills required to improve the performance of APC in all areas.
The former council boss, who had earlier pledged that the Local Government would triple its votes in 2027, noted that the election of Prince Oladipupo would make the realisation of the pledge quite easy.
His words: ” Our new Chairman is a square peg in a square hole. He is a seasoned politician, a thoroughbred party man, an excellent team player, and a man of the people. He is competent, capable, and has all it takes to lead the party effectively and significantly improve the performance of our party, particularly at the polls.”
Olaosebikan thanked all the APC leaders and members in the Local Government for their support and steadfastness in ensuring that capable and committed party members were elected into the executive.
Elected along with Prince Oladipupo were Alhaji Mumeen Oriade, Secretary; Kikelomo Akinleye, Woman Leader; Tunde Garuba, Youth Leader; Saheed Akilapa, Publicity Secretary, and others.
Violence Mars Congress, Rep Akande-Shadipe’s Loyalists Fingered
However, the congress was thrown into chaos following a violent disruption by a faction loyal to the lawmaker representing the constituency in the House of Representatives, Rep Tolu Akande-Shadipe.
The congress had proceeded peacefully with party faithful gathered to witness the emergence of new executives.
But, violence erupted immediately after Prince Oladipupo from ward 8 in the Idi Ayunre sector was announced as the newly elected Chairman of the party in the Local Government.
Thugs in their scores subsequently started throwing stones at the APC officials conducting the exercise and the party leaders.
In the violence, many people, including old women, were badly injured. The newly-elected Youth Leader of the party, Mr Tunde Garuba, commenced his duty on a sad note as he was brutally attacked by the thugs.
The apex leader of the party in the Local Government, identified as Chief Adeyemo, was also hit by the stones and his car badly damaged.
The newly-elected Publicity Secretary of the party in the Local Government, Mr Akilapa confirmed that the peaceful congress was thrown into chaos following the violent disruption by a” faction loyal to the Honourable member representing Oluyole federal constituency, Tolu Shadipe.”
Akilapa recounted that he witnessed a scene of confusion as loyalists of Hon. Akande-Shadipe disrupted proceedings, threw stones and caused panic among attendees.
The disruption, according to him, led to serious scuffles, leaving several party members injured.
He, however, praised the prompt response of security men and some party leaders who restored sanity and chased the thugs away.
Akilapa condemned the incident, describing it as unfortunate and avoidable.
He stated that party leaders present at the congress immediately went to lodge a formal complaint at the Sanyo police station in the area while those who sustained injuries were rushed to an unidentified nearby hospital for medical attention.
“We conducted a peaceful congress, and the process was transparent until it was disrupted by a faction loyal to Honourable Shadipe against the faction loyal to the newly-elected Chairman.
“Our leaders have taken the matter to the Sanyo police station, and those wounded are currently receiving treatment. We believe in due process and will allow the authorities to investigate the incident,” he said.
He called on party members to remain calm and united, urging all to embrace internal democracy and respect the outcome of the congress.
The spokesman described the incident as a setback to party cohesion and a glaring case of oppression and wickedness on the part of an external party member.
As of press time, efforts to reach Rep Akande-Shadipe, who was not present at the congress or representatives of her faction for comments, were unsuccessful.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan (left) with the new APC Chairman for Oluyole LGA, Prince Dotun Oladipupo.
