APC Suspends Former Publicity Secretary Tajudeen Aro For Accusing Party Of ‘Deceiving People’

Aro, who is a chairmanship aspirant for Offa Local Government Area, described the party’s local government primary elections as a shambles and accused the electoral committee of ridiculing and betraying the trust of the people.

The former Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Alhaji Tajudeen Aro, has been suspended for accusing the party of insincerity and deceit.

Aro, who is a chairmanship aspirant for Offa Local Government Area, described the party’s local government primary elections as a shambles and accused the electoral committee of ridiculing and betraying the trust of the people.

He claimed that no primary election was conducted for the party’s local government elections.

“Is this how a party should operate? They are frustrating the efforts of party members because they want to manipulate the election. This is a sign of anti-party behaviour, as it is not what should be done to party members,” he said.

“They are destroying the party. We are not in a secret society; our party needs to be transparent, which is why we have a party constitution. They did not follow the constitution, and someone is claiming to have authority over me.”

He alleged that the state chapter of the party was not adhering to its constitution.

“People should ask them if they are really working for the party or if they have another party operating underground that they haven’t made known to the public. They are just selecting people they want from different local governments,” he said.

He further claimed that in Offa Local Government, House of Assembly members and the Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Political Affairs are selecting councillors, even in wards where they do not belong.

He said, “In 2021, I wrote a letter to the Governor stating that the way the party was going in the state, with those selected as commissioners and Special Assistants taking over the responsibilities of party members, would backfire. To this day, the Governor has not responded.”

He explained that when he wanted to contest for the chairmanship and it became apparent that he had more support than his opponent, they offered him N5 million to withdraw for his opponent.

“We are not sincere as a party, and we are deceiving people. Our leaders are deceiving people,” he said.

Meanwhile, the APC Ojomu North North West Ward, Offa Local Government Area, has suspended Aro, its immediate past Publicity Secretary in Kwara State.

The suspension letter dated September 15, 2024 and signed by Chairman Alhaji Layi Oyediran, Vice Chairman Mr. Oseni Ojo, Secretary Mr. Fagbemi Adeolu, Women Leader Mrs. Bunmi Opeyemi, Youth Leader Alhaji Akeem Olawale, P.R.O. Mr. Olawale Maroof, and Treasurer Kazeem Alabi, accused Aro of engaging in anti-party activities.

The letter reads, “In view of your recent blatant anti-party activities, attempts to create discord and divisiveness within the party, and your disregard for party supremacy, the decision-making organ of our party in Ojomu North North West Ward hereby suspends your membership of the party with immediate effect.”

“This suspension letter is duly authorized by the undersigned members of the Central Working Committee and the PRO of the party in Ojomu North North West,” the statement concluded.