Leaders of the APC in Akure North have met with all stakeholders in the local government and sensitize them on how to go about the forthcoming registration for party membership and the benefits to be derived from it.
In his opening address, Chairman of the party in the local government, Mr. Joshua Eleti said the registration would now commence on Thursday and not Tuesday as announced earlier..
The party boss explained that the APC was taking the step to accommodate young people who have just attained the stipulated age 18.
‘It is also designed to enable old members, new entrants, decampees from other parties and all of us have a dignifying laminated identity cards. There will be three registration officers for each unit and two supervisors from each ward to monitor the exercise. So, inform our people that they are expected to register in the units where they vote during elections.’ He expressed delight that all those who had been invited were in attendance.
‘Seeing is believing as all of us who are stakeholders in this local governmnt have debunked the rumour of disunity among us with this turnout’
Similarly, a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kenneth Olawale described the program as ‘bottom up’ approach, meant to make every one a bonafide card-carrying member of the APC family. He cautioned members against reliving the old tag of local government of discord, saying peaceful coexistence was second to none.
Another chieftain of the party and former Chairman of Ondo State Water Corporation, Chief Dapo Fulani remarked that the card was the evidence of APC membership.
‘The card makes one enjoy the benefits accruing to everyone in the party. Go out there and let our members know the importance of getting theirs.’
Others, who spoke were the Chairman of the local government, Hon. Bankole Ogbesetore and a former two time member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Akin Adeniyi.
They appealed to the stakeholders to remain steadfast and ensure that there was party discipline and unity. The chieftains added that nothing tangible can be achieved where there was rancor and division.
Adeniyi said, the party is one in Akure North.
‘Let me state categorically that APC in Akure North has no faction. Those talking of division are being economical with the truth and out to send wrong signals to people outside. Virtually, everyone invited is here.’
The Commissioner for Works, Mr. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye harped on the need to attend meetings.
‘Meeting is the food of politics, which all members must take serious. In politics, meetings are a must. No matter how strong a political party is, without membership support brought by regular parley, the party will lose its members. We have to make attendance of meetings a priority.’
He called on them to remain loyal to the party.
‘Our loyalty is to the Governor as our party leader. We are here as members of the ruling party because Arakunrin is the Governor. Let us bear that in mind always. We have to stop running campaigns of calumny against ourselves as it is undermining our popularity among the electorate
Other party chieftains at the meeting were Secretary of the party in the local government, Mr Gbenga Fadeyi, Chief Yemi Aladesaye, two former Chairmen of the Council, Hon. Simbo Akiola Obey and Rotimi Adeleye and the Iyaloja General of APC in the State, Chief (Mrs) Olufunke Adu.
Mr. Tayo Fayanju and Prince Segun Oluyede came briefly but left as the meeting was about commencing.