Hon. Ashimiu Afeez Adio has held a strategic meeting with APC leaders, women leaders, stakeholders and other prominent party members across the Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency amid ongoing political developments within the constituency.
The meeting, which was held on Sunday, focused on developments within the All Progressives Congress (APC), the current political situation in the constituency and the progress of the Ona-Ara Lokan Movement.
During the meeting, several party leaders reportedly expressed concerns over what they described as marginalisation and dissatisfaction with the process that produced the APC candidate for the Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency.
Some of the stakeholders also voiced their grievances over their experiences with the current representative, alleging that they had not received adequate recognition despite the support and loyalty they said they had given him over the years.
The leaders recalled their support for his emergence and re-election bid in 2023, while expressing concerns over what some described as developments surrounding the political process.
Addressing the gathering, Adio appealed to party leaders, members and supporters to remain calm, united and focused, stressing that the issue concerning the constituency was already before the appropriate legal authorities.
He expressed confidence that the matter before the court would be determined in accordance with the law, while urging his supporters not to be distracted by political comments, alleged intimidation or propaganda.
Adio also stressed the need for party members to look beyond the immediate political disagreement and work towards strengthening the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He called on the stakeholders to close ranks and intensify grassroots mobilisation across the wards, polling units and communities within the constituency.
According to him, the success of the APC in the 2027 elections would require unity, commitment and sustained engagement among party members.
Also speaking at the meeting, Pastor Hon. Olalekan Aderopo reaffirmed the position of stakeholders from Ona-Ara, saying the area remained firm in its belief that it was its turn to produce the representative for the Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency in the forthcoming election.
Aderopo, while acknowledging that the matter was currently before the court, urged all parties to allow the judicial process to run its course. He specifically appealed to Hon. Akinola Alabi to desist from pasting campaign posters and other materials portraying him as the candidate, pending the determination of the case by the court.
He stressed the need for respect for the rule of law and the court process, saying that all stakeholders should await the final judgment rather than take actions that could further heighten political tension in the constituency.
The meeting ended with participants reaffirming their commitment to the party and calling for fairness, justice and what they described as genuine representation for the people of Egbeda/Ona-Ara.
The political dispute over the APC representation in the constituency remains subject to the ongoing legal process, with stakeholders expected to await the outcome of the court proceedings.
The gathering also renewed calls among Adio’s supporters for what they described as a mandate that would be freely and fairly determined in the interest of the people of Egbeda/Ona-Ara.
