From Victor Seyi, Ilorin
A socio-cultural organisation of Oke-Ogun people of Oyo state, Oke Ogun Forum, Kwara state chapter, has condemned the protest against the choice of an indigene of the area, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, as a ministerial nominee.
It is recalled that the Central Working Committee of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state had in a statement moved against the candidature of Barrister Shittu as ministerial nominee principally on the allegation that the nominee hardly worked for the success of the party.
A statement signed by the chairman of the forum, Chief Lasisi Adewuyi, which was made available to journalists in Ilorin on Monday said that Barrister Shittu worked relentlessly for APC in its victory during last election and said that the protest against him was a product of “deep rooted anger and hatred against the people of Oke Ogun in Oyo state”.
“We condemn vehemently the bellicose and caustic language used to drive home their points. We are surprised that this set of people were feverishly fanning the embers of hatred, disharmony and strife not only in APC but in Oyo stae in generall”, he said.
The statement, which said that Oke Ogun has a long history of marginalisation by successful administration, with the area yet to produce either a governor or a minister, urged President Buhari to stick to his decision and not listen to protesters.
“We want to appeal to President Buhari to please save our soul. Ever since the establishment of Oyo state, we are in perpetual bondage. We had never a governor or a minister. The bitter truth is that the agenda of the write is to submerge Oke Ogun in this sorry state of abysmal neglect and serfdom.
We voted en mass to ensure that APC emerge as governor through the relentless effort of Barrister Adebayo Shittu. We offered our unalloyed support to Olunloyo, Ishola, Adeshina and Abiola Ajimobi, despite these nothing to feel the presence of the state and federal government”, he said.
The forum described the choice of Shittu as the expected change, saying, “it will bring government nearer to the people and eradicate perpetual political oppression and marginalisation”.
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