By Oyebamiji Olawale Taoheed
The General Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Irewole Ward 06, Mr. Oyebamiji Olawale Taoheed, has strongly refuted the meeting report circulated by the Bola Oyebamiji Group (BOG), describing it as misleading and lacking in sincerity.
Speaking to newsmen, Mr. Oyebamiji explained that the actual outcome of the political meeting was misrepresented in the report released by the BOG. He emphasized that what transpired during the gathering was entirely different from the narrative being pushed by the group.
Recounting the meeting, Mr. Oyebamiji said it commenced with an opening prayer offered by him, during which he thanked God for the growing call for the next governorship ticket to come from Osun West Senatorial District. He particularly prayed that the candidate be from Ikire, noting that “if we are talking about Osun West, then Benedict Olugboyega Alabi (BOA) is the answer.”
According to him, just as the meeting was about to commence officially, the Ward Chairman interrupted and instructed that all forms of video recording and photography be stopped. The Chairman reportedly questioned the intent of the visitors, stating that the message they were delivering may differ from what they would later tell the public.
The Chairman, in his remarks, reminded the visiting BOG team that Ward 06 also has a governorship aspirant, Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, and it would be unrealistic for anyone to expect stronger support in his home ward than BOA himself enjoys.
Tensions rose during the meeting when the AMBO team (an acronym associated with Bola Oyebamiji’s campaign) allegedly began criticizing the immediate past Deputy Governor, BOA. Despite promising not to release videos or pictures, the team continued recording the proceedings. Mr. Oyebamiji stressed that there was no endorsement at the meeting, as all ward executives remain committed to the party and are open to listening to all aspirants.
Instead of presenting their candidate’s credentials, Mr. Oyebamiji said the AMBO group turned the engagement into an attack against BOA and even suggested that he should step down from the race. This prompted strong reactions from attendees, who demanded clarification on what qualifications Bola Oyebamiji possesses that BOA does not.
The Ward Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Habideen Oladokun, also addressed the gathering. He emphasized that all aspirants have the constitutional right to contest and warned against divisive rhetoric. “We don’t have the power to choose the party’s candidate; let the leaders decide. Stop attacking fellow aspirants,” he said.
Mr. Oladokun reaffirmed that Ward 06 remains solidly behind BOA and urged the AMBO team to canvass for support in their own ward instead of creating friction. He noted that, while people are free to support any aspirant of their choice, respect must be maintained.
Another ward executive, Mr. Aliu Hamzat, also declared his unflinching support for BOA, stating that no one could influence his political stance. He affirmed that all the ward’s executives belong to the BOA camp, except one that is their Aspirants relative and reiterated that they would work for whoever emerges as the APC flagbearer.
He added that the AMBO team’s strategy of inciting attacks against BOA could backfire, as aspirants also hail from Iwo, Ejigbo, Gbongan, and Ayedade making it uncertain who would eventually emerge as the party’s candidate.
Reacting to criticisms that Ward 06 always loses elections, the Chairman of Ward 10 countered that such claims were unfounded. He explained that electoral dynamics have changed since BOA joined APC in Ward 06. “It’s true the ward was once a PDP stronghold, but since BOA joined us, APC has been winning”he said.
During the meeting, the AMBO team also spoke about upcoming voter registration by INEC and encouraged sensitization. However, the Ward 06 executives responded that they are already mobilizing people and do not need such reminders.
In his final remarks, Mr. Oyebamiji Olawale Taoheed condemned the distortion of facts in the BOG report, reiterating that what happened at the meeting was not accurately captured in their release.
