Akinfenwa rejects fresh AD convention
From Seun Adeoye (Osogbo) and Clifford Ndujihe (Lagos)
EFFORTS to put an end to the leadership crisis ravaging the Alliance for Democracy (AD) suffered yet another reverse yesterday as one of the principal actors, Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa insisted that his faction would not participate in any fresh convention.
Akinfenwa, who emerged as national chairman of the party in the Abuja parallel convention last year, denied knowledge of a fresh convention slated for October. He said that the announcement from the Chief Bisi Akande-led rival faction was a gimmick to deceive the public about the true picture of what was going on within the party. Akande was picked as chairman of the party in Lagos.
The director of publicity of the Akande camp, Dayo Adeyeye, also yesterday, however, picked holes in Akinfenwa's stance, saying that no one could hold the party to ransom.
Coming at a time a wave of reconciliation is sweeping through the South-West geo-political zone, with the coming together of the Afenifere and Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), the latest crack may put the leaders of the party to task.
Worried by the deadline given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the party to resolve its internal wrangling before the end of next month, the Lagos convention publicity secretary, Umar Farouq had announced that the AD would hold another convention in October.
But Akinfenwa, while speaking in Osogbo with journalists, debunked the new convention claim and insisted that he would never step down for Akande. He called on the former governor of Osun State to give peace a chance by allowing him to complete his term in office.
Akinfenwa stated that already there was a case in court against INEC for not recognising the result of the Abuja convention "where I was elected, having fulfilled all the constitutional and party requirements."
The former AD leader in the National Assembly urged those preparing for another convention to stop wasting their time and resources as nothing could invalidate the last one held at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
"There will be no new convention. I am not aware of any. A proper convention was held in Abuja last year where I emerged as the National Chairman. The matter of non-recognition of my leadership by the INEC is still in court and that has to be decided first before anything can be done. I am sure that INEC will never do anything that will amount to contempt of court. Our election (in Abuja) fulfilled all the party requirements and we remain the authentic leaders of the AD," he stated.
Noting that Afenifere was trying to find solution to the problem, Akinfenwa said that any step by the group to turn down his mandate would not be acceptable "as Akande and I did not pass through the same convention and mine was a real democratic process."
He cautioned that if the Akande faction goes ahead with a fresh "selective" convention, the step would further destroy the party, adding: "So I will urge them to wait for the outcome of the court ruling."
But Adeyeye, in a telephone chat with The Guardian said the converse opinion of an individual would not stop the party from moving ahead.
According to him, "the vast majority of members of the party are for a new convention because we have been brainstorming on how to find a way out of the crisis and one way out of the logjam is a new convention."
Regardless of the position of Akinfenwa, Adeyeye contended that the matter would come to an end once the National Convention Committee (NCC) was reconstituted by Chief Michael Koleosho, who was the acting national chairman of the AD before the crisis broke out. Koleosho is in the good books of INEC.
In a chat with The Guardian recently, Akande said he was willing to relinquish his position if it would restore peace in the party.
Asked if it was true that he was ready to step down for Akinfenwa, he said: "I did not say I am prepared to step down for Akinfenwa. I am prepared to step down from the chairmanship of the AD if that would bring progress and unity."
Adeyeye said the problem was not just a question of Akande and Akinfenwa stepping down for each other.
"Assuming Akande steps down for Akinfenwa for instance, what happens to the other members of his executive" he queried, adding that a fresh all-inclusive convention was the surest way to resolve the logjam.
