The Forum of APC Elders in Ijumu Local Government Area has warned state appointees allegedly lobbying Governor Ahmed Ododo against the administration of the council’s Executive Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Haruna, insisting such individuals do not speak for the people of Ijumu.
The elders made their position known at a stakeholders’ meeting in Iyara, where former Ijumu LGA Chairman, Hon. Fehinti Dada, cautioned against attempts by some individuals to sow division within the party and the local government.
Dada said the forum would not stand by while people who do not represent Ijumu’s interests embarrassed the council at the state level. He appealed to Governor Ododo to call such individuals to order, stressing the need for unity, mutual respect and adherence to proper administrative channels.
He declared that the elders would not tolerate a situation where a commissioner expected the council chairman to take orders from him, insisting state appointments should not be used to undermine an elected local government chairman’s authority. All officials, he said, should operate within the limits of their responsibilities while working for the collective good.
Recalling his own tenure, Dada noted that Hon. Abiodun Ojo, a powerful and influential commissioner at the time, never interfered with his administration despite his standing in state government.
Also speaking, former Chairman Hon. Funsho Olumoko, Renewed Hope Ambassador for Ijumu, said he was committed to ensuring the administration’s success and condemned any move to divide the party, particularly with another election approaching. He urged party members to set aside personal interests for the progress of Ijumu, stressing that only those genuinely committed to resolving issues would have a place in the collective effort.
Former Chairman Hon. Dare Osawu also affirmed the elders’ support for Haruna, maintaining that those complaining against him do not represent the people’s interests, and urged the governor to exercise caution in handling such petitions.
The APC State Treasurer added his voice, calling for a check on the excesses of some state appointees who consider themselves above the local government, stressing that no individual is bigger than the system.
The meeting, attended by Special Advisers, the Council Leader, councillors, ward chairmen and other party stakeholders, ended with a vote of confidence in Chairman Haruna and a resolution backing his bid for a second term.
