APC Ogun Stakeholders Ban Unauthorised Screening, Order Strict Use of Grassroots Funds

Abeokuta — Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State have resolved to prohibit the screening of aspirants at any local government level, warning that offenders will face severe sanctions. The resolution was contained in a communique issued at the end of a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held on Monday at the Cultural Centre, Abeokuta.

Presiding over the meeting, State Chairman Chief Yemi Sanusi declared that funds recently released to Ward and Local Government Chairmen are strictly meant for the hosting of party meetings and must not be diverted for personal use. He also announced that modalities for the collection of nomination forms would be made public shortly, in line with a reviewed timetable received from the National Organ.

The gathering mandated all Ward and Local Government Chairmen to intensify the regularity of meetings at the grassroots. Present were members of the State Executive Committee, two leaders from each of the 20 Local Government Areas, the 20 Local Government Executive Chairmen, the 20 Local Government Party Chairmen, and all 236 Ward Chairmen.

Addressing the concerns of Ward Chairmen, which were raised through their representatives from Ado-Odo/Ota, Ijebu Ode, and Obafemi Owode Local Governments, the State Admin Officer, Hon. Bankole, assured them that the operational issues had been comprehensively handled. The Chair of the Local Government Party Chairmen, while acknowledging past shortcomings, gave a firm commitment to better performance going forward. Alhaja Faidat of Abeokuta North further appealed to all Chairmen to ensure that Ward-level meetings are held without fail.

In her remarks, Dr. Mrs. Adeyemo, Chairman of the Local Government Executive Chairmen, praised Governor Dapo Abiodun as the first executive to extend deliberate support to the party’s Ward and Local Government structures, while calling on all party officers to redouble their efforts at the grassroots. Chief Mrs. Ronke Ogunremi advised Executive Chairmen and political appointees to replicate the Governor’s gesture by assisting the party at those levels. Chief Mrs. Iyabo Apampa went further, arguing that financial intervention by political appointees should be made mandatory to make the Ward-level organs fully functional.

Party Elder Alhaji Kasali Kalejaiye from Odogbolu Local Government commended the Governor and the party hierarchy but urged that grassroots elders be kept constantly informed of all developments to ensure proper monitoring and control.

State Organising Secretary Hon. Yemi Adelani charged all Ward and Local Government Chairmen to surpass their current performance levels. He acknowledged that political appointees have been contributing to the party’s welfare but insisted that more support is still needed at the grassroots. He formally announced that the membership e-registration exercise has been concluded and that the engagement of registration agents has consequently ended.

In a decisive move, the stakeholders resolved that no person or group is permitted to screen aspirants at any Local Government level. The meeting warned that all leaders must await official guidelines from the State Organ, adding that anyone who jumps the gun will face severe sanctions.

The communique concluded by reaffirming the stakeholders’ collective commitment to the unity, discipline, and electoral success of the APC in Ogun State.