A fresh political storm is brewing within the Irele chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the party grapples with a controversial shake-up ahead of the January 18, 2025, Local Government Election.
The crisis erupted with the sudden removal of Hon. Daisi Akinrodoye as the party’s vice-chairmanship candidate.
This unexpected decision overturned what had initially been a unanimous endorsement of Hon. Jide Akinfe and Hon. Daisi Akinrodoye as the chairmanship and vice-chairmanship candidates for Irele Local Government.
Akinrodoye, who had been the agreed-upon candidate for the deputy chairmanship, was replaced with the name of Ali Olaniran, the current caretaker chairman of the local government. Olaniran’s appointment has sparked controversy, as he was alleged not to have participated in the primary election process.
The sudden change has caused outrage, with Akinrodoye accusing few party leaders of replacing his name for personal gain.
In an exclusive interview with Starnews NG, he claimed that the state woman leader, allegedly involved in the decision, forged a letter supposedly endorsed by Mrs. Omosowo Titilayo, the local government woman leader, to add legitimacy to the contentious change.
Akinrodoye further accused the local government party chairman of dishonesty, claiming he had signed both the majority and minority endorsement letters.
The dispute has exposed deep divisions within the local APC, with only a small faction, including Z.A Omoge, Suwa Akinbolade, and Mrs. Stella Lijoka, signing the new endorsement letter, representing a minority position according to a reliable source.
Supporters of Akinrodoye argue that key party figures, such as Senator Yele Omogunwa, Hon. Jimmy Odimayo, and other influential members, were excluded from the decision-making process, fueling allegations of undemocratic practices.
In his appeal to state party leaders and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Akinrodoye called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
He accused the APC leadership at the local government of allowing a select few, including Professor Emmanuel Igbasan, the Commissioner for Budget, to hijack the process for their own interests.
Along with Igbasan, the local government party chairman Z.A. Omoge, Mrs. Stella Lijoka (acting state woman leader), and Dr. Akinbolde Suwa (local government party secretary) are seen as the key figures behind the unilateral change.
The growing rift within the Irele APC now threatens to undermine the party’s chances in the upcoming election. With internal divisions escalating, the leadership is under increasing pressure to address the grievances and restore unity before the polls.
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