19th August, 2024
By Adejoke Adeleye/Ogun
Leaders and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Remo North LGA of Ogun State have announced the indefinite suspension of the Council’s party Chairman, Mr. Sobambo Ladejobi pending the outcome of investigations into some weighty allegations preferred against him.
Ladejobi’s suspension followed an unanimous vote of no confidence passed on him at the statutory executive meeting of the party in the local government held at the APC Secretariat in Isara, Remo North.
The meeting which was convened to address growing concerns over alleged failed and lopsided leadership of Sobambo Ladejobi, was called by the APC ward chairmen in Remo North, under the leadership of Hon. Tunde Sowole.
The suspended chairman was also alleged to have engaged in anti-party activities during the 2023 General Election.
Leaders and members at the meeting also unanimously charged the Vice Chairman, Hon. Akinsipe Azeez, to take over the leadership of the APC in Reno North immediately.
Those in attendance at the meeting included LGA Executive committee members, Ward Executive committee members, party leaders, and elders led by Chief Kolapo Ogunjobi, the Remo North Apex leader. APC leaders and stakeholders at the meeting deliberated on the performance and direction of the party’s leadership as well as the preparations for the forthcoming local government elections.
In their remarks, the ward chairmen said they had called on Mr. Sobambo several times to initiate an LG Exco meeting to discuss the modalities of implementing the election guidelines and preparing for other activities directed by the supreme organs of the party at the state level but he failed to convene the important meeting, which could undermine the party’s strength and unity.
Following the many opinions, views, and allegations against the chairman, there was a consensus on the need for stability and continuity within the party ahead of the upcoming elections.
Hon. Tunde Olonade, a party LG Executive member, and several other members at the meeting called for the immediate removal of the LGA chairman citing the need to strengthen the APC in Remo North.
Consequently, Hon. Onasipe Taiwo, Ward 1 Chairman, moved a motion for the suspension of Sobambo as party chairman. His motion was seconded by Hon. Waheed Sopelola.
The process was closely monitored by the party organs at both the local government and ward levels with majority members signaling a strong endorsement of the suspension process.
Nine ward chairmen present at the meeting, led by Hon. Tunde Sowole, later moved a motion that Vice Chairman Hon. Akinsipe Azeez, should take up the leadership position of the party tentatively.
The motion was accepted and supported by the majority of the Exco present at the meeting, who affirmed it by waving their hands and a voice vote to second the motion.
Akinsipe, in his acceptance speech, promised to follow the rule of law and the party constitution in the discharge of his duties.
Speaking to close the meeting, Chief Ogunjobi, who witnessed the process, applauded members at the meeting for following the party constitution in all decisions taken, adding that the process was “100% according to the laid down procedure,”
