WHY WE WANT AKALA OUT – OYO PDP FACTIONAL LEADERS

Akala
Leaders of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oyo State chapter, have given reason why they-Akala out of power in the state in 2011.

The stalwarts, who were behind the anti-Akala rally that turned bloody in Ogbomoso, hometown of the governor at the weekend, said they were out to rescue the people of the state from a visionless, incompetent and directionless leadership.

They spoke at a post rally press conference, even as criticisms from both camps trailed the violence that rocked the programme. Gun totting political thugs, suspected to be Akala's loyalists, armed with dangerous weapons including machetes and charms had rioted, shooting sporadically and making bonfires on major roads in a bid to abort the rally.

But, they were later dispersed by anti-riot policemen.

Addressing newsmen later, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Budget and Appropriation and leader of the Ogbomoso Solidarity Forum (OSF), which hosted the rally, Mr. Ayo Adeseun, said: 'The cause we are fighting is the cause of liberating Oyo State from the shackles of oppression, of incompetent, directionless leadership and I think we are getting somewhere in our efforts. And I am very much pleased.'

According to him, the Akala administration had nothing to offer the people of the state any more, citing the attempt to stop the rally by brigands.

His words: 'Unfortunately, those in high position of authority that are expected to discourage this sort of thing are actually the ones fuelling these acts of lawlessness and brigandage. Democracy is about selling your ideas, selling your thoughts to the electorate. If people find you acceptable, they will support you; and if not, they will vote against you, as the issue at stake is what you are competent of doing and what impact you have been able to make on the life of the average citizenry in the society. That essentially was our message.'

Adeseun described the backers of the hoodlums as 'anti-democratic force, who have been frustrating the growth of democracy in Oyo State, at a time when the nation is heading for a true democratic culture'. The Chairman, State Implementation Committee, Alhaji Yunus Akintunde, who spoke in the same vein, said the people were tired of the regime, which, according to him, had so far collected over N3 billion from job seekers without employing them.

Also, the Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin, said an all inclusive PDP government was imperative, saying that was why the status quo had to go. He urged the teeming party supporters in Ogbomoso and all parts of the state to remain calm in the face of hostilities from the state government, while the intra-party crisis was resolved.

His words: 'It will be resolved. There is no doubt about that. It has to be resolved otherwise there is no future for the party in Oyo state'.

But, Governor Akala in a statement by his Special Adviser on Public Communication, Prince Dotun Oyelade, chided the opposition, blaming them for the violence. He accused the 'Ladoja group' of abusing the right to free movement by sparking off crisis in Ogbomoso. 'Sporadic shootings are not the hallmark of democrats especially at a period we clamour for votes that count.'