Adekunle Akinlade, the gubernatorial candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in 2019 election in Ogun State, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Akinlade, who was former Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s anointed candidate, had a fierce battle with Governor Dapo Abiodun, as the APC candidate in the last election.
He lost the APC governorship ticket to Abiodun and dumped the party for APM where he contested the election.
He returned to the ruling APC after he lost the gubernatorial election to Abiodun.
Again, the former House Representatives member popularly known as Triple A, contested the APC’s governorship primary held in May, and lost to Abiodun.
He had expressed lack of confidence in the governorship primary committee led by Wale Ohu.
In a letter addressed to the State Chairman of APC, Akinlade hinged his resignation on the failure of the National Leadership of the Party to intervene on the internal crisis in the State Chapter of the Party.
He said he could not “in good conscience continue to participate in a process that is characterised by injustice.”
The letter reads, “This is to formally notify you of the resignation of my membership from the All Progressives Congress, APC.
“In fulfillment of Article 9, Sub-section 9.5 (i)(ii) of the APC Constitution that deals with cessation of membership, I hereby state that I do not have any item or property of the Party in my possession.
“This decision became necessary because of the failure of the National Leadership of the Party to intervene fairly in the internal crisis rocking the Ogun State APC.
“As a principled and forthright individual, I cannot in good conscience continue to participate in a process that is devoid of justice.”
In a separate letter dated 28th June, 2022 addressed to his ward Chairman in Agosasa area of Ipokia Local Government, Akinlade said, “In 2018, I was given the opportunity to contest the gubernatorial primary on the platform of our great party and won on the 2nd of October, 2018, but the result was manipulated by the Comrade Admas Oshiomole-led NWC.
“I left the Party temporarily to contest the gubernatorial election and returned in December 2019. I have since remained loyal to the Party both here at home and National level.
“It is unfortunate that despite our loyalty and efforts to prevail on the party for justice and fairness, the leadership of the party at the National HQ has continued to ignore our pleas and complaints that bother on the lopsided State Congresses, Local Government Elections, Party Executive Elections, the Delegate List, and recent Party primaries.
“Then, the refusal of the Ogun State Party Leadership to uphold the sharing formula as agreed by the various stakeholders and parties.
“It is on this end that I have decided to resign my membership in the All Progressives Congress.”
Akinlade, however, was silent on the party he would join after dumping the ruling party.
But there are strong indications that he may pitch his tent with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state
