Ahead of the 2027 general election, a staunch member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Isinbode-Ekiti and Special Assistant on Media to a chieftain of the party, Harrison Olaniyi Alonge (HOA), Comrade Olawale Ogunyebi, has demonstrated his commitment to party unity and grassroots political development by hosting APC leaders and stakeholders in Ward 12, Isinbode-Ekiti, Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
Ogunyebi , a seasoned journalist and forestry expert convened the strategic meeting at his residence on Sunday to address grievances among some aggrieved unit leaders and ward executives who expressed concerns over what they described as inadequate consultation and exclusion from decisions concerning the selection of ward executives and other party activities.
Addressing the gathering, Comrade Olawale Ogunyebi called for sincerity of purpose, mutual understanding, inclusiveness and genuine reconciliation among party leaders, stressing that unity remains the strongest weapon for electoral victory.
He appealed to all stakeholders to put their differences aside, embrace dialogue and work collectively towards strengthening the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Isinbode-Ekiti.
The Isinbode-born political mobiliser further urged party members to intensify grassroots mobilisation and sustain their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR,as well as APC candidates for the National and State Assemblies ahead of the January and February 2027 general elections. He therefore support the APC Ward 12 with certain amount for smooth running of the Ward meetings.
He recalled that Isinbode-Ekiti recorded the highest number of votes in Ekiti East Local Government Area during the last governorship election, describing the achievement as a testament to the community’s political strength and commitment to the APC.
He challenged party leaders and stakeholders to build on the existing success by setting an ambitious target of securing at least 90 per cent of votes in Isinbode for APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved leaders and stakeholders, Mr Agare Omotoyinbo and former Councillor and Board Member, Hon. Henry Okunola, expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as the unilateral style of leadership adopted by some prominent APC figures in the community.
They specifically alleged that Hon. Ogunrinde Olasehinde, Chief Akinbobola Akindele and Hon. Ogunjobi Esan had been taking decisions without adequate consultation with other critical stakeholders.
They maintained that grassroots leaders who have consistently worked for the success of the party deserved recognition, respect and inclusion in decisions affecting the ward.
They also expressed their readiness to demonstrate their grassroots mobilisation capacity and contributions to the APC’s electoral success in Ward 12.
In their separate remarks, the Oisinkin of Isinbode-Ekiti, Chief Kayode Abayomi, and former Ward 12 Chairman and current Legislative Aide to Hon. Ogunsakin, Mr Abejide Omoniyi, appreciated Comrade Olawale Ogunyebi for taking the initiative to bring the divided stakeholders together.
They described the intervention as timely and necessary, particularly at a period when unity, cooperation and effective grassroots mobilisation are crucial to the party’s future electoral fortunes.
They, however, appealed to him to reschedule the meeting to accommodate other important stakeholders who were unavoidably absent due to other engagements outside the community.
Similarly, Hon. Charles Ilori, a former Assembly aspirant and Supervisory Councillor, commended Comrade Ezekiel for his consistent financial and material contributions towards supporting the APC in Isinbode-Ekiti.
He noted that Ezekiel’s willingness to spend his personal resources, provide financial assistance and entertain party members despite not seeking any elective position deserved special recognition and appreciation.
Hon. Ilori also raised concerns over the alleged unilateral decisions taken during the previous month’s ward executive selection exercise, as well as the alleged mismanagement of funds released for the last governorship election.
The meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to express their concerns, identify areas of misunderstanding and explore possible pathways towards rebuilding confidence among party members.
Among the prominent party leaders and stakeholders present at the meeting were the Ekiti East Local Government APC General Women Leader, Mrs Kayode Kehinde; Ward 12 Women Leader and former Councillor, Hon. Mrs Omotoyinbo Alice; Ward Publicity Secretary, Ojo Ajaguna; Ward 12 Secretary, Mrs Funmilayo Ogunrinde; and businesswoman, Mrs Akinlusi, among other influential party members.
