The Oyo State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the reported appointment of Chief Bisi Ilaka to its Membership Revalidation, Mobilisation and Registration (MRMR) Committee, describing the development as fraudulent and vowing to pursue legal redress.
Ilaka, a former Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde, was accused by the party of falsely presenting himself as having been appointed to the committee.
In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Barrister Bimpe Adelowo, the Oyo ADC labelled him an “impostor” and warned both him and his alleged backers to desist from interfering in the party’s affairs.
The statement made clear that the party would not hesitate to seek judicial intervention against Ilaka and what it described as his “collaborators” if the matter persists.
The ADC criticised Ilaka’s political history, noting that he has contested elections repeatedly without success.
It expressed dismay that, in its view, he had chosen what it termed an “undemocratic path” in pursuit of what it described as “inordinate ambition,” rather than drawing lessons from past electoral defeats.
Apologising to members and the wider public for the confusion generated by the controversy, the party accused unnamed individuals, whom it called “political aliens,” of making a habit of fomenting crisis and engaging in what it characterised as uncivilised political conduct.
The Oyo ADC stressed that Ilaka is neither recognised by the state chapter nor nominated by it for any national assignment.
It explained that under the party’s constitution and established procedure, any appointment made by the National Headquarters must be formally sponsored by the State Chapter and transmitted through the State Chairman, adding that, such a nominee must be known and duly endorsed by the state structure.
According to the statement, the officially nominated representatives of Oyo State on the MRMR Committee are Mr Ayo Akinyemi as Chairman and Professor Folake Tafita as Secretary.
Their nominations, the party said, were properly sponsored by the State Chapter and they have since been inaugurated in Abuja.
It further stated that had any nomination from the state been rejected, formal communication would have been sent to the State Chapter through the State Chairman. No such correspondence, it maintained, was received.
Reaffirming its organisational strength, the party noted that it currently maintains valid Executive Committee structures across all 33 Local Government Areas and 351 wards in Oyo State.
The ADC, therefore, urged members of the public and party faithful to disregard any publication suggesting that Ilaka or his associates hold positions within the MRMR Committee, insisting that such claims are inconsistent with the party’s established processes.
Instead, members were encouraged to focus on the ongoing online membership registration exercise, which remains open for two weeks via the party’s official registration portal.
The Oyo ADC reaffirmed that it remained united and committed to attracting credible and resourceful individuals capable of adding value to the party, while distancing itself from what it described as disruptive external influences.
