Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has warned the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, against dragging him into frustrations with his party.
Lanlehin exited the coalition with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday, accusing Governor Seyi of noncompliance to the terms of the coalition.
But in a swift reaction, the Oyo governor said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Strategy and Political Matters, Babatunde Oduyoye, that Lanlehin’s decision to exit the coalition was a personal one and did not represent the position of ADC as a party, which had consistently pledged loyalty to the coalition.
Makinde argued that he had lived up to his promise to all parties of the coalition and in some cases bent backward to accommodate all interests.
He maintained that he had set in motion procedures to abide by the template for the sharing of positions in government, as well as membership of boards and parastatal.
Governor Makinde noted that the apex committee of the coalition parties had met over three times, with agreements reached.
He said Lanlehin’s claim of insincerity was a clear affront on his magnanimous disposition in handling all the discussions about the coalition.
The statement reads, “We received with shock, claims credited to the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator Femi Lanlehin, that he has withdrawn his support for the coalition birthed by a number of political parties ahead of the March 9, 2019 election in Oyo State.
“It is more shocking to read Senator Lanlehin’s allegation that his decision was hinged on Governor Seyi Makinde’s infidelity to the coalition agreement.
“That allegation, to say the least, is a clear affront on the sincerity of Governor Makinde and his magnanimous disposition in handling all the discussions about the coalition.
“Let us also state without equivocation that the claim by the Senator is untrue, unjustifiable and inconsistent with the reality of it all.
“There was no dissenting voice from all the representatives of the parties at the meeting with Governor Makinde. Everyone commended how he handled the matter. Senator Lanlehin only had issues with the other leaders of the ADC on Monday when they were discussing how to share the positions allotted to the ADC.
“He should not in any way attempt to drag the name of Governor Makinde to the frustrations he is encountering in his party.
“If Senator Lanlehin withdraws from the coalition, he must have done so as an individual, because we are aware that the ADC as a party remains an integral part of the coalition as leaders of the party have repeatedly pledged their fidelity to the coalition.
“We believe that the coalition was not put together merely to further any personal aspiration other than the collective interests of the people of Oyo State,” the statement read.
