Action Democratic Party (ADP) has emerged the major opposition party to the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State. This is sequence to the coming together of about 14 different Political Parties under one Political Party – ADP. All the political parties agreed to collapse their structures to the ADP to form a formidable party ahead of the October 10 Governorship Election in the state.
Below is the press release of the Chairman of the Emerging Political Committee, EPC.
Gentleman of the Press,
It is a good thing to address you in a time like this.
We thank God Almighty for the privilege given to us to be part of the living. May His name be praised.
1. First of all, permit me to commend the Federal and State Governments for their steadfast efforts in fighting against CoviD-19 pandemic that has humbled humanity for some time. We also appreciate the effort of the frontline health workers and other concerned stakeholders in combating the spread of the virus to flatten the curve. We say well done.
2. From 1999 to date Nigeria has attained 21 years of uninterrupted democratic rule. Gradually our democracy is evolving. Kudos to us all. However, this furthers shows our resolved spirits to govern ourselves in a democratic rule.
3. If you recall in 2016, we held the gubernatorial election that ushered in the current APC administration led by Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu. Now we are about to go in to another election which will determine the fortune or misfortune of the good people of Ondo State come Oct.2020. Hence the need to be prepared.
4. If you study the spate of events and political atmosphere, you will agree with me it demands urgent intervention and rescue as governance in Ondo State has been turned to a family affair. It is also appalling to note with utter dismay that the state treasury is now the personal bank account of the man from Owo. This has further impoverished the people of the state. We say this must stop.
4. Emerging Political Committee, is a group of concerned individuals who believe there should be an inclusive society through the birth of a third force that will wrestle power from the hands of old brigades that will offer credible leadership to the good people of Ondo State.
5. Based on the concern of the group to wrestle power from the obviously failed administration in the state, the group embarked on rigorous consultation with the people to feel their pulse about governance in the state.
6. After series of virtual meetings both day and night, EPC came up with modalities in which a third force can be birthed.
7. Since EPC is a conglomeration of different Political parties, groups and individuals, interested Political Parties wrote letters of interest for their platform to be adopted as a party of choice for such a noble assignment. The parties were given measures and guidelines to follow if their platforms must be adopted. Some party chairmen and leaders of fourteen political parties and pressure groups were among those involved. Some of the political parties are; SDP, ADP, MPN, YDP, HDP, ASD, PRP, ANN, UPN, ACPN, ZLP, PDP, APC and ADC. Few among the groups are OSPAG, OSAAP, OYIP amongst others.
8. After looking into the letters submitted by interested Political parties and because EPC is serious with the business of credible leadership to govern the affairs of good people of Ondo State, a sub-committee christened EPC SELECTION SUB-COMMITTEE under the Chairmanship of Barr. Kayode Adeola, to review the indices and come up with the most credible, popular and well spread political party that will form the Third Force.
9. Without any form of favoritism, the committee met severally to review the constitutions, manifestos, financial prospect, geographical spread and other criteria of the political parties involved and one 3 parties were considered. Abinitio the EPC, had stated as part of her objectives all political parties involved in the merger will collapse their structures and work together for the interest of any selected party as third force and for the greater good of the state at large.
10. It is exciting to let you know gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen, that after several tough and thorough work and consultation, the committee finally resolved to choose a party from the final 3 political parties. All other parties involved in this process as stated above and as indicated in the letters received from their leadership is expected to dissolve their structures and come under the umbrella of the political party of choice.
11. It’s on this strength I want to announce to you on behalf of the EPC and the benefit of the entire populace of Ondo State that the party that will wrestle power from the old hands APC and PDP has just been adopted and christened as The Third Force. Action Democratic Party ADP is the new political party to watch out for in the coming election.
12. Action Democratic Party ADP has without delay collapsed their party structures from State to the units so as to accommodate all parties and interests involved in this merger. Plans are already in place across the state to begin E- campaign and mobilisation earnestly until the ban on physical convergence is lifted.
13. Ladies and gentlemen, this next gubernatorial election is crucial to the survival of Ondo State, hence we call on other political parties including the aggrieved, sidelined, deprived and rejected members of all other political parties as well as the good people of Ondo State to join hands together with us in ADP to work assiduously for ADP( The Third Force) to come out victorious at the next gubernatorial election. We must all see this as a collective responsibility as we can no longer seat on the fence or be indifferent to political decisions. This is the time to effect an inclusive society and enthrone good governance in our dear state. Enough of leadership fiasco, docility, mediocrity, ineptitude among other characteristics of bad leadership.
13. I want to salute and appreciate all the members of EPC and the selection sub-committee for their energy and time put in place to achieve this great feat. Also appreciate members of the press, ladies and gentlemen.
14. We say may God Almighty crown our efforts with greater success and grant our heart desires. Thank you for your time. We shall sooner than later come together to celebrate the victory of ADP at the poll.
God bless EPC
God bless ADP
God bless Ondo State
God Bless Nigeria.
Prince Biyi Poroye
Chairman EPC.
