Ward Secretaries of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ogun State have cried out to Governor Dapo Abiodun over what they perceived as total disregard for their hard work in the runoff to the 2023 general elections.
The APC scored high marks in the Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives elections held on the 25th of February and replicated the same feat in the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls held last Saturday, 18th of March, 2023.
It was jubilation across the state after Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun (MFR) and his Deputy, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele of the APC were re-elected for a second term of four years after being declared the winner of the governorship election.
Governor Abiodun who polled 276,298 pulled votes defeated his main rival the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, who polled 262,383 votes and 12 other candidates.
But the APC Ward Secretaries in the state feel let down that their enormous efforts throughout the election campaigns have been undermined and overlooked by the state party leaders and Number One citizen of the state.
Iju ward Secretary and Coordinator of Ado-Odo/Ota Progressives Secretaries, Comrade Owolabi Aleshinloye popularly called OwoSports, in a chat with the media noted that his colleagues deserved the same treatment as other party stalwarts in the state just as they reassured the Governor of their unalloyed commitment and support to his administration.
“I want to firstly congratulate Governor Prince Dr Dapo Abiodun (MFR) and his Deputy, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele on their reelection, which was well deserved.
“Secondly make our feelings known to him and leaders of our great party, the APC, that we (Ward Secretaries) were undermined, as there is no reward for our hard work, despite efforts in canvassing votes for the party in the general elections.
“Ward Chairmen, Women Leaders and Youth Leaders were all “recognised and commended” fully by the Governor and Ward Secretaries, who are the heartbeat of the party were asked to keep the faith.
“This act shows that Ward Secretaries are underrated and not appreciated.
“Do our Governor and Leaders of the APC in Ogun State want us to call them out before we are appreciated?
It would be wise if all actors that contributed immensely to the success of the party are treated the same way.
“This is injustice being done to Ward Secretaries as we are the Number two party person in our various wards and we are still being neglected without any tangible “recognition” from the party hierarchy whom we are trying our possible best to build in our little way.
“I want to appeal to Governor Abiodun, a good listener and father to have a rethink and extend his good gesture to the Ward Secretaries and others.”