• Friday, March 29, 2024
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Ondo APC crisis: We’re yet to withdraw our case against party exco in court – Unity Forum

Rotimi-Akeredolu-Ondo APC

Reactions have continued to trail the withdrawal of a case in the suit No. FHC/AK/CS/10/2019, filed by the embattled factional Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Idowu Otetubi, challenging the composition of the state executive committee of the ruling party.

Otetubi, one of the party chieftains, had dragged to court, the APC executive members led by Ade Adetimehin, challenging their composition in 2019.

Addressing journalists in Akure, Otetubi said he decided to withdraw the case in court because of his desire to “promote peace and reconciliation within the APC, Ondo State Chapter.”

Reacting, one of the members of the Unity Forum, Tolu Babaleye said the aggrieved group was not moved by Otetubi’s decision to quit their midst and withdraw the case.

He said that the group would appoint a new acting chairman to replace Otetubi and his Secretary, Gani Muhammed who is now Special Adviser to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Media and Publicity.

According to Babaleye, Otetubi and Muhammed are just two out of the 13 plaintiffs in the suit, saying: “No retreat, no surrender! We shall take our party back from these usurpers.”

“As much as I respect the rights of Hon. Idowu Otetubi to withdraw his support for anyone or pledge his support for any other person at anytime, he should also respect the rights of others to press home with their political rights and entitlements moving forward.

“I wish to state it categorically that there are 13 plaintiffs who are suing in representative capacity for and on behalf of all the 203 wards Excos, 18 LG Excos and State Executives of the APC faction of the Unity Group in Ondo State. Idowu Otetubi and Gani Muhammed are just two out of the lots,” he said.

He further said: “I spoke to Hon. Otetubi when I read the news item and he offered his explanation and apologised to me and I appreciated his frustrations, especially when he told me about how he was abandoned and the recent threat to his life.

“Otetubi has the right to withdraw his name but he cannot discontinue the suit without the consent of other plaintiffs (Claimants) in the suit and those who gave them consent from all the 203 wards and 18 LGs in Ondo State.

“The reason why those holding sway in the state are desperate at buying anybody buyable is the fear of direct primary. We are aware of all the undercurrents and quest for indirect primary.

“Let me assure our teeming supporters in the Unity Group in Ondo State that the case is still on and alive in court. It is adjourned to June 11 at the Federal High Court Akure.”

 

KORETIMI AKINTUNDE, Akure