The lawmaker representing Ola-Oluwa State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Biodun Afeez Ibrahim, has dismissed reports claiming that a particular aspirant has emerged as the consensus candidate for the constituency ahead of the next election.
In a statement issued on Friday by OLATIDOYE Idowu, the lawmaker described the circulating report as fabricated, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to create disunity within the party and misinform members of the public.
The statement explained that political consultations and meetings currently taking place across the constituency should not be mistaken for endorsements, noting that every aspirant has the constitutional right to seek support from party members and stakeholders.
According to the statement, videos circulating on social media suggesting endorsement of any aspirant were merely consultation meetings with party faithful and not an official decision of the party.
The lawmaker maintained that there has been no agreement on any consensus arrangement for the constituency, insisting that endorsement propaganda contradicts democratic principles.
The statement further disclosed that the party chairman and other individuals whose names allegedly appeared in the purported endorsement release had already distanced themselves from it, warning those behind the circulation of the information to desist from spreading misleading content capable of causing division within the party.
It added that any genuine decision on a consensus candidate would involve ward chairmen, councillors, political appointees, and other critical stakeholders within the party structure.
The statement described the purported endorsement as a “kangaroo arrangement,” stressing that key stakeholders in Ola-Oluwa Local Government were neither consulted nor involved in the process.
The lawmaker also maintained that the Accord Party in the area remains united and committed to its democratic ideals despite the controversy generated by the report.
Ibrahim, who was described in the statement as a progressive lawmaker committed to purposeful representation and the welfare of his constituents, also condemned acts capable of undermining peace, unity, and democratic values within the constituency.
The statement added that the lawmaker remains committed to supporting the administration of Ademola Adeleke and sustaining developmental efforts across the constituency.
The statement reads in full, “It has been brought to my notice that a certain press release stating that a particular House of Assembly aspirant has been unanimously endorsed as the consensus candidate for Ola-Oluwa State Constituency is currently circulating in the public domain. It is very pertinent to inform the general public, most importantly the constituents and the entire people of Ola-Oluwa, that such press release is entirely fabricated, fake, misleading, and a calculated attempt to disrupt public peace through gross disinformation. Such releases should never be taken seriously.
“At this point in time, when the political atmosphere is tense, it is worthy to note that every aspirant is entitled to seeking grassroots support, which naturally warrants public gatherings and consultation meetings. Videos currently circulating across social media acknowledging any form of endorsement of a particular aspirant should merely be regarded as consultation meetings with party members. It is, however, unfortunate to see some sycophants misrepresenting ordinary consultations as endorsements.
“For the record, there has been no agreement whatsoever on any consensus arrangement. It is void of logic to encourage or promote endorsement propaganda in a democratic setting. In fact, such actions negate not only the principles of democracy but are also immoral and illogical. Ola-Oluwa Local Government has never, at any point in time, expressed or supported such disgraceful and disheartening conduct.
“As a counter to the disinformation and in an effort to set the record straight, the party chairman, whose signature appears to have been forged, alongside some other individuals whose names were displayed online, have already begun disclaiming the purported endorsement and have outrightly warned the sycophants behind the outcry. The Party Chairman, in particular, warned these unscrupulous elements and charged them to desist from the circulation and sharing of unsigned and misleading information capable of causing disunity within the party. The Chairman further noted that if the party were ever to present a consensus candidate, such a decision would be all-encompassing, and no stone would be left unturned.
“A consensus candidate of a political party in an election cannot be selected by a few individuals without the involvement of ward chairmen, councillors, political appointees, and other relevant stakeholders in making such a critical decision. These important stakeholders were neither consulted nor included in what can only be described as a kangaroo endorsement.
“It is evident that the release was intended to cause unrest and disunity, whereas Accord Party remains united in one accord, as ideologically enshrined in the party manifesto.
“The lawmaker representing Ola-Oluwa State Constituency, Biodun Ibrahim, being a progressive representative and developer who prioritizes purposeful representation, the welfare of his constituents, and remains an ardent supporter of the re-election of Ademola Adeleke, condemns any action that runs contrary to the will, peace, and development of the people, including acts of self-endorsement that negate the core tenets of democracy.
“In the quest to continue delivering development and complementing the good work of Mr. Governor, Hon. Biodun Ibrahim shall remain steadfast, and victory shall continue to be ours.”
