Former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala has fired a strong warning to the Publisher of Tribune titles and 2023 governorship aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State to desist from maligning publications, capable of polarising of the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Alao-Akala, the chairman of Elders Advisory Council of APC in Oyo State, is reacting to a damaging article written and sponsored by one of the 2023 gubernatorial aspirants of the party, published in Nigeria Tribune on Sunday, May 6, 2021.
The News Carrier NG understands that the author and sponsor of the article maligned the personalities of the party chieftains vis-a-vis Senator Teslim Folarin, Chief Adebayo Adelabu and Engr. Joseph Tegbe.
In a rejoinder signed by Otunba Alao-Akala’s Media Aide Mr. Tolu Mustapha, the author and sponsor of the damaging article is a conjecture of lies, deciet, mischief, mis-information and a shoddily handled hatchet job.
The former governor emphasised that he is a father to all and has no bias or personal interest in any of the intending gubernatorial aspirants Oyo State as he operates an open-door policy; therefore will never discriminate against any member of the party no matter the status of who is involved.
While charging APC leaders, elders and teeming members to discountenance the petty publication, revealed that he had already known the author and sponsor of the maligning publication and would soon unvail him.
The Ogbomoso-born politician went further to clarify that he is not positioning his son for deputy governor of any anointed candidate as the allegation could not be substantiated by the author, stating that he who alledges must prove.
The rejoinder reads in full:
RE: TRIBUNE NEWSPAPER PUBLICATION SUNDAY 6th JUNE, 2023
The attention of His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala has been drawn to a Tribune Newspaper Publication of today, Sunday 6th June, 2021 captioned “WHO GET’S OYO A.P.C TICKET IN 2023” with the By-line of one Bimbo Alasela.
The said write up, which has since gone viral after careful analysis of the intention of the said author is a conjecture of lies, deciet, mischief, mis-information and a shoddily handled hatchet job by who ever and for who ever and should be disregarded by the reading public forthwith.
His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala takes exception to the bandying of his hard earned name and reputation in the said publication as having a favourite amongst the Gubernatorial aspirants of the All Progressives Congress in the coming 2023 election.
The same publication/article also alledged him as having positioned his son Olamiju Alao-Akala as running mate with a particular Gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo state, a claim which cannot be substantiated by the author as he who alledges must prove.
For the umpteenth and the last time, His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala is making it clear and stating it unequivocal that he is a father to all and has no bias or personal interest in any of the intending Gubernatorial aspirant in the state as he operates an open door policy and will never discriminate against any member of the party no matter the status of who is involved.
The interest and the choice of the unwavering party members is what he will stand with come rain, come shine and will henceforth not take with kids glove any publication or comment linking him with any of the Gubernatorial aspirant as being his preferred choice.
His Excellency advises intending Gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of the party to desist from actions that can undermine a united A.P.C in Oyo state but should rather get to work and meet with party faithfuls who will form the bulk of those to decide who flies the flag of the party at the 2023 polls a decision he will be bounded by once it is decided at the party primaries which is won on the field of decent politicking and not on the pages of newspapers or social media.
Further more, His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala who is also the chairman, Elders Advisory Council of the A.P.C in Oyo state calls on leaders, elders and party members to discountenance the publication in its entirety and urged that all members should not be disillusioned or discouraged by a petty publication of this nature as the source and sponsor of this particular offensive write up is already known to him and he will not hesitate to expose those behind such attack on the unity and cohesion of the party if they desist from such act.
E-Signed
For: His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala
TOLU MUSTAPHA
Media Assistant to H.E Alao-Akala
