Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has appealed for the understanding of the All Progressives Congress (APC) members who were aggrieved over the approval of the names of the caretaker committee chairmen for the 33 local government councils in the state.
He made the appeal while addressing groups of party faithful who thronged his office from various local governments across the state.
However, while party members from Oyo East, Oyo West, Atiba, Afijio, Oriire, Ogbomoso North, Egbeda, Ibadan North-East and Saki West Local Government Areas came to say `thank you’ to the governor, others from Ona-Ara and part of Oriire Local Government were at the Governor’s Office to register their protest over the appointment of their chairmen.
Governor Ajimobi, who described the reactions from party members as normal, said that there was no way everybody would be satisfied with the appointment and removal of the caretaker chairmen.
He explained that he had no grudge against those who were removed from office, adding that his action was aimed at giving others chance to serve at the local government level.
The governor further stated that his administration and the party had been very fair in the choice of the caretaker committee chairmen, stressing that the development was the outcome of wide consultations within the party hierarchy.
“APC is a party that has done so well for the masses. If you see people complaining, they are either political opponents or selfish individuals. Otherwise, we have tried and we have done well as a party.
“In terms of membership patronage, I think APC has done so well with its membership than any other party. Lastly, you can see that some people are happy; that is life. No matter what happens, some will be happy, while some will be unhappy. But we thank God that majority are happy,’’ he said.
Governor Ajimobi said that none of the caretaker committee chairmen had spent less than two years in office, pointing out that they were retained because of the pending court case and the understanding currently reigning within the party.
He also appealed to party members to imbibe the spirit of give and take, strive to accommodate one another and trust his sense of judgment and that of the party in the choice of political appointees.
The governor also seized the opportunity to thank the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwole Adeyemi III for his support and cooperation with his administration, saying that there was no rift between him and the monarch.
