Ex-Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and APC Elders Advisory Council chairman has called on party members to abide by rules ahead of the Oyo congress slated for October 16.

On Tuesday, Mr Alao-Akala stated this while addressing the party’s supporters and leaders at his Ibadan residence, demanding fairness in the forthcoming state congress.

The party’s congress is expected to produce a new set of executives for the party in the state ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Alao-Akala decried the level of impunity and disrespect for the institution of the party in the state.

He explained that the party leadership would not tolerate disruptive tendencies that would expose it to ridicule and disrepute at the slightest opportunity.

“No matter the status of any individual, the party is supreme. Anybody that calls him or herself a politician can never be recognised without belonging to a political party. Your political party will serve as your identity. It is on the platform of that political party that you will ply your political trade. You can never use your surname to contest and win an election, so why can’t we abide by the rules guiding the party,” he said.

Mr Alao-Akala added that the party would no longer tolerate any disrespect from anyone who gained political leverage on its platform.

The former governor insisted that the party’s constitution must be adhered to.

“We have 36 positions in the state executive, and we have 33 local government areas in Oyo State. Each local government will have a slot in the spirit of fairness and equity, unlike in the past where some local governments have up to three representatives in the state exco,” Mr Alao-Akala added. “If the delegates at the party primaries decide to vote for a candidate from Ibarapa North as the governorship candidate of the party, so be it. We will work with whoever emerges and ensure the party win the election.”

(NAN)