By Adesakin Adefemi
The Ogun State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Femi Soluade, has reaffirmed the legitimacy of the ongoing screening and congress processes in the state, declaring that all party activities are proceeding in line with directives from its recognised national leadership.
Soluade made this statement on Tuesday at the party’s state secretariat in Abeokuta, the state capital, during a press conference held alongside the congress exercise. He said the National Screening Committee, duly constituted by the party’s national leadership, was currently in the state to screen aspirants ahead of the scheduled congresses.
“The National Screening Committee, duly constituted by the national leadership of our party, is presently in Ogun State to conduct the screening of aspirants ahead of the scheduled congresses. The presence of the committee underscores the legitimacy and proper coordination of the congress process”, Soluade said.
He stated that the screening of aspirants was ongoing as planned, noting that all necessary arrangements had been put in place to ensure a transparent, credible, and orderly exercise. Soluade added that any meeting held outside the party’s official secretariat should be considered null and void.
The state chairman further noted that the Ogun State Executive Committee of the party remained fully operational and was working closely with the national team to ensure the success of the exercise. He, however, raised concerns over the activities of a group described as an “Apex Committee,” allegedly constituted by Dimeji Fabiyi, whom he accused of falsely parading himself as a member of the party’s National Executive Committee.
“For the avoidance of doubt, he is not recognised by the legitimate leadership of the party in this matter,” Soluade said. He added that the so-called Apex Committee purportedly constituted by Fabiyi had no legitimacy whatsoever, and any decision taken by that committee was null, void, and of no effect.
Reassuring party members across the state, Soluade said the leadership of the party remained united and committed to internal democracy. “All State Executive Committee members are present, united, and firmly committed to the democratic process within the party,” he noted.
Soluade also confirmed that all congresses across Ogun State would proceed as scheduled. “Accordingly, all congresses across Ogun State will proceed as scheduled, in line with the guidelines and directives of the recognised national leadership of the African Democratic Congress,” he said.
He urged aspirants, delegates, and party faithful to remain calm and law-abiding throughout the exercise. “We urge all aspirants, delegates, and party faithful to remain calm, focused, and committed to the peaceful conduct of the exercise,” he added.
