Gbolahan Balogun
The fate of a former lawmaker in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Saheed Popoola to find favour with his former party, the All Progressives Congress hangs in the balance as the party insists that his case could not be considered with other decampees seeking to come back to its fold.
Although a meeting of the Kwara State executive of the party and some of its key leaders who broke away to pitch tent with the Social Democratic party in the state held at the weekend agreed on a gradual process of reconciliation and integration, after an amicable settlement, but APC said it would not consider Popoola for a comeback until some grey areas are ironed out.
Sources at the meeting said the party hinges its stand on the level of Popoola’s vituperation against the party and especially, his bitter and abusive language on Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq in the build up to the last elections.
A source hinted that though some members of his group argued that election campaigns are not normally devoid of invectives, especially in this clime and pleaded for a rethink, the APC were said to be still bitter about the former member of the party.
The source said though Popoola was slated to be at the meeting, but couldn’t because he was out of the state. Another meeting was however slated for the following Saturday to consider his case.
The reconciliation meeting, chaired by the State APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi had in attendance, Alh Mustapha Isowo, Hon Olabanji, Mr Duduyemi lawal, Mallam Toyin Ayinla, Mallam Kure and Alh Folaranmi Tajudeen who represented the APC State Executive.
Representing the SDP members that desire to decamp were Chief Iyiola Akogun, Hon Ganyu Cook Olododo, Amb Mohammed Abioye, Engr Shaba Lafiagi, Alh Lukman Mustapha and Alh khalil Bolaji.
A communique issued at the end of the meeting signed by Alh Folaranmi Tajudeen Aro, the State APC Publicity Secretary reads: “Following the recent influx of decampees from other parties into the All Progressive Congess in kwara state, a meeting of the leadership was called to formally welcome and discuss the gradual process of reconciliation and integration into the party.
“That the leadership of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is affirmed, respected and accepted.
“That decampees are welcome into the party but registration must be at their respective wards.
“That the Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi is to appropriately instruct all the Chairmen of the Party at the Local Government and wards levels to receive All decampees warmly, subject to their full compliance with the existing policies and directives of the APC from the Ward to the National level.
“That the leaders of SDP pledge their support and loyalty to the Executives of the Party as presently constituted.
“That the Integration of decampees remains a gradual and ongoing process, as meetings shall be convened by the Party Chairman to bring critical stakeholders together to further cement relationships.
“That both parties recognize that we are of the same extraction of APC originally and our coming together now is more of a reunion than anything else.
“That further meetings shall be held to consolidate the gains of the integration process so as to further strengthen the Party.
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