The alleged defection of former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala to the All Progressives Congress has led to confusion within the party as the party leadership in the state has disowned him.
In a statement over the weekend, Director of Publicity, Oyo State APC, Olawale Sadare, described the alleged defection as “strange” news.
He stated: “the news was received with shock because APC is not aware that he (Alao-Akala) had joined the party”.
“He is not in APC, however if he wants to join APC he is welcome. Let him join from the ward level. That is how it is done.
“It is very strange to us. We are not aware of his political moves. Here in Oyo APC, we don’t know him. He should start from the ward level and progress from there.”
But in a swift reaction, Alao-Akala described the position of the party leadership as stemming out of “ignorance”, urging them to seek confirmation of his party status if they were in doubt.
The Chief Press Secretary to the ex-Governor, Abraham Ojo, who spoke on his behalf, said: “They should go and confirm. They should not be playing politics of animosity.
“If somebody of Alao-Akala’s status should come and make a public declaration that he has joined the APC and the Director of Publicity or anyone else is saying the party doesn’t know him, then he must be acting out of ignorance.
“Alao-Akala did not only embrace the APC in a more celebrated way, but directed all his followers to return to their local governments and wards to register.”
