The Coalition of Presidential Campaign Councils (CPCC), a support group of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu neglected its members in appointments made in his administration.

The CPCC chief coordinator, Oyo State, Yemi Akinwale, stated this at a news conference on Saturday in Ibadan, saying the coalition sought recognition, engagement and inclusion in the Tinubu administration.

He said that the coalition, comprising representatives of various support groups and grassroots structures, worked tirelessly in the 33 local government areas, 351 wards and 6,390 polling units in the state during the 2023 presidential election to mobilise support for Mr Tinubu’s emergence.

Mr Akinwale said that many of the support groups’ coordinators and grassroots mobilisers who contributed to Mr Tinubu’s campaign and electoral victory in 2023 had not been adequately engaged, recognised or integrated into the governance process till now.

The chief coordinator said the situation had inevitably affected the morale of many of their members and supporters.

He said that the coalition believed government could not effectively communicate its policies, programmes and achievements to the grassroots without engaging the structures and individuals that had established relationships within communities.

Mr Akinwale said that with proper engagement, their structures could be strengthened and better positioned to communicate government achievements, provide constructive grassroots feedback and contribute to the political and democratic process as the 2027 general elections approached.

Mr Akinwale said that their demands were not to create division or undermine the party’s leadership or Mr Tinubu’s administration, but to seek recognition, inclusion and engagement from the president.

“We believe that there is a need to strengthen communication and engagement at the grassroots.

“We appeal to the Presidency, APC leadership and relevant government authorities to urgently consider mechanisms for the recognition, inclusion and engagement of Oyo State support groups.

“We also request an opportunity to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, or any authority designated by him, to formally present our concerns and our proposed roadmap for effective grassroots engagement,” Mr Akinwale said.

The chief coordinator said the coalition was ready to offer its structures as partners who remained available and willing to contribute to the success of the administration as the 2027 general elections approached.

Mr Akinwale affirmed the coalition’s loyalty to Mr Tinubu and the Renewed Hope agenda and said it was ready to work within the established political and governmental structures and also contribute positively to the success of the administration.

“The men and women represented by this coalition remain committed to Nigeria, committed to Oyo State and committed to democratic participation,” he said. 

(NAN)