By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Iree, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, have distanced the community from the recent endorsement of Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term by the Aree of Iree, Oba Muritala Oyelakin.
The monarch had, alongside some community leaders, endorsed the governor during a visit to the Government House.
However, in a statement signed by APC leaders, including the Chairman of Boripe North LCDA, Mr. Hammed Omoniyi; the Oluomo of Ireeland, Barrister Yinka Adeojo; former Commissioner for Local Government, Prince Adebayo Adeleke (BANIK); and former Boripe APC Chairman, Debo Ajeigbe, the party described the endorsement as a personal decision that did not reflect the views of the wider Iree community.
The APC leaders said the endorsement was not the outcome of a broad consultation with stakeholders, adding that organisations such as the Iree Progressive Association (IPA) were not involved in the decision.
They maintained that the APC remains well established in the community and attributed the party’s support to development projects carried out in Iree under previous APC administrations.
The statement also referenced an ongoing legal dispute relating to the traditional stool, noting that the matter remains before the court.
The APC leaders urged traditional institutions to remain non-partisan and continue to serve as symbols of unity rather than platforms for political endorsements.
They further argued that previous APC administrations facilitated a number of infrastructure and social development projects in Iree, including roads, educational facilities, healthcare projects, solar streetlights, transformers and empowerment programmes.
The party leaders also claimed that the current state administration had not undertaken significant development projects in the community and called on residents to assess the performance of political office holders based on projects and service delivery.
