Prof. Aderemi Suleiman Ajala
Ward 1, Ilobu
Irepodun Local Government.
My attention was recently drawn to a story authored by one Olawale Apara who claimed membership of All Progressives Congress ( APC) from Iwo Local Government of Osun State on the above subject calling Dr. Ajibola Basiru to resign his position of the National Secretary of our party APC, because Ajibola Basiru is interested in the governorship election coming up in 2026. I got the story from a social.mefia platform. The author of the story also affirmed that Ajibola Basiru has declared his intention to run for Osun state governorship in 2026 election.
This story is laughable because it shows that the author lacks basic understanding of APC constitution and Nigerian party democracy. For a National Secretary of a party to resign so early because he or she has interest in governorship election is unknown to party democracy in Nigeria. The author needs to.know that resignation of National Secretary that has interest in governorship election is not an ethical issue, but it is constitutional. Section
*31.2(iii) of APC Constitution provides inter alia: Any Party office holder interested in contesting for an elective office (whether party office or office in a general election) shall resign and leave office 30 days prior to the date of election or Party primary for the office sought.*
There is no constitution of any political party in Nigeria that mandates the resignation of any of its officers that is interested in any elective position a year before either the primary or general election.
So the position of Olawale Apara is his personal conjecture which is driven by two major sentiments: (i) the fear of competence and capacity of Dr. Ajibola Basiru and (ii) the intention to exit Dr. Ajibola Basiru from the race for a sectional preferred candidate from Osun West Senatorial Zone. Both reasons are inimical to democratic development in APC and capable of robbing the party of the victory in 2026 election.
It is no longer hidden that Dr. Ajibola Basiru is contesting for the governorship of Osun State in APC in 2026 election. It is also widely recognized that Dr. Ajibola Basiru is the National Secretary of our party. It should be noted that his interest to run for governorship position in 2026 and his present position as the National Secretary of APC is not in collision. And his interest and his current position is not unconstitutional and not unethical. Definitely as quoted above, Dr. Ajibola Basiru will respect the constitution of our party and he shall resign his position as the National Secretary of APC as provided by the party's constitution.
However, one needs to educate the author. Apart from lack of constitutional support for the early resignation, being a National Secretary of the party does not place Dr. Ajibola Basiru ahead of other contestants in APC. Since decision to choose the flag bearer is not a one man decision and the National Secretary has insignificant role and influence to play. The decision is that of the party leaders and not that of the National Secretary of the party.
One needs to remind the author of the practices in party democracy in Nigeria. Governors and Presidents are more critical in the party than the National Secretary. They are highest leaders in their state and in the country. But when campaigning for their second terms in office, they do not resign their positions.
So if that is our democratic culture, where then lies the fear that Dr. Ajibola Basiru will use his National Secretary position to undermine other contestants?
It is good to inform the author of the story that Dr. Ajibola Basiru is an Honorable politician who can not negatively utilise his position to attract influence. Rather he believes that winning the governorship election is a demanding task. That is why he is not relying on any shortcut to achieve success. He is not expecting the ticket through zoning and by maligning other contestants. He is strictly concerned about marketing his distinguished personality and profiles. He has taken the assignment as very challenging, requiring working hard to earn. He has set up high profile campaign structure which has established his presence across Osun state.
Thanks.
Prof. Aderemi Suleiman Ajala
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