It was a surprise and unbelievable event that the Oyo State Interim Chairman of the Labour Party Sir Dele Abiola could just lead a handful of his interim team to the den of the former Chairman of the party Mr Sodiq Tunji (Atayese) who is still holding on as the chairman of the party regardless of Senator Nenadi Esther Usman appointment of the interim committee for many of the states of the federation.
Earlier on 2nd of March, a letter had been dispatched to Atayese demanding for the official handing over of whatever party's assets and liabilities under his care to the interim state working committee. Why those at the office refused to collect the the dispatched letter in his behalf, a soft copy was sent to Atayese via is WhatsApp number. He acknowledged the receipt of it. By yesterday 4th of March, it was agreed that they can both meet today at the party Secretariat under the control of Atayese believing that he will never come or perhaps he would have been there with thugs to take over the party secretariat from them by force.
At the brief meeting that lasted for more that one hour, after introductions of his entourages, sir Dele Abiola notified the Atayese team of the existence of the Interim State Working Committee of the Labour Party and demanded for the Handing Over of Party's assets and liabilities to his interim leadership.
The former Chairman who acknowledged the ascendance of Senator Nenadi Esther Usman as the National Chairman of the Labour Party via the judgement of an Abuja High Court maintained that the Supreme Court had ruled that matters of political parties are internal matters but agreed to follow due process. He also affirmed that he has been in contact through one of the Nenadi' deputies.
Sodiq Tunji Atayese maintained that he has conducted Congress in Oyo State and was witnessed by the INEC officials in the state.
With many occasional threats to let loose the gate of hell on the visitors, even with many unprintable words and bewilderment, Atayese and many others in the meeting wondered and salute the courage of the interim Chairman Sir Dele Abiola to have dare to come to their den.
Atayese team also asked whether their was any letter from senator Nenadi Usman requesting them to hand over the party Secretariat. He said even of there is or was any letter of appointment, that is null and void.
However , it can be deduced that as much as he and his team believed that there can be upturn of the High Court Judgement that enthroned Nenadi in the appeal, he also is ready and has been making efforts to align with the party's National Working Committee through those around the National Chairman just to retain the party structures in the State just has his loyalty shifted from Alhaj Lamidi Apapa to Mr. Julius Abure in desperate determination to retain the party's platform for usual negotiations with the highest bidders.
Sir Dele Abiola in responding to all the vituperation, said the Interim State Working Committee will notify the national of all their concerns and questions and that due process devoid of illegality will be followed to put the party back in lines.
Against all expectations, the meeting ended with the two sides taking several pictures. The security officer of the State Security Service were present.
Toyin Gbadegesin
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