As the suspension of former Governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni continues to rip the Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) apart, a party’s chieftain, Dr. Olusegun Osinkolu, has advised members to always respect and abide by the doctrine of party supremacy.
Osinkolu, who was the Director General, Buhari/Osinbajo campaign council in the 2019 general polls, said promoting supremacy of the party at all levels would help in stabilising and strengthening the APC.
Oni was suspended by the executive at A Ifaki ward 2, Ido/Osi local government over alleged anti-party activities.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Monday, Osinkolu advised whoever has grievances against any action taken by the party to always approach the right organs and channels of the party to seek redress.
Osinkolu added that the party has the power to discipline any erring member, having deployed due process in arriving at its decision.
He said Oni as a former Deputy National Chairman of the party ought to respect the summon of the party and appear before the panel constituted by the APC executive at Ifaki ward 2 over allegation of anti-party activities levelled against him.
He, however, warned that disciplinary action shouldn’t have any imprint of victimisation, in order to safeguard the integrity of the executives at all levels.
“The suspension of the former Governor Oni has been brewing crisis in Ekiti APC in recent time. Let me say that the PDP, which remains the main opposition to us today crashed as a ruling party owing to pervasive indiscipline,” he said.
” As a loyal party man, I subscribe to the vision of Com. Adams Oshiomhole-led government to restore discipline to APC and he demonstrated this with the way he suspended some governors for anti-party activities. So, we must learn how to subject ourselves to party discipline, because it is supreme and takes preeminence over anything.
“As much as I align with the foregoing, the party must be cautious in exercising the power by ensuring that the allegations are given fair hearing to avert internal wrangling”.
He applauded Governor Kayode Fayemi for promoting unity in the party by spreading political appointments across all the blocks and caucuses in the party.
” In my opinion and contrary to what some believed, Governor Fayemi had proved to be leader to all in APC. His appointments have gone round all the known caucuses.
“In spite of the bad blood the May 12, 2018 governorship primary elicited among the 33 contenders, over ten of them have been elected or appointed through Governor Fayemi’s influence in the party.
” Hon Opeyemi Bamidele was a contender and he is now a senator-elect. Hon Femi Bamisile has been elected as a member of House of Representatives, Hon Funminiyi Afuye now a member of House of Assembly elect, some were appointed as commissioners, special advisers and board chairmen and members.
“In any political setting, there must be grievances to settle and leaders would also enjoy some privileges, but this does not make then sacred cows.
” I want to advise Engr Segun Oni to act like a true leader and subject himself to the party and prove his innocence, this will only promote his status and relevance rather than demeaning him”.
