…’No Cause For Alarm’, Says National Vice-President
Yusuf Bakare
A leadership storm is brewing within the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) New Era as the eight-year tenure of the pioneer executives led by Alhaji Rasaq Balogun Arogundade (a.k.a. Sadam) comes to an end this month.
While majority of the executive members are preparing for a new set of leaders to take the reins, it appears that the incumbent National President, Sadam, is reluctant to hand over the baton.
Those calling on Sadam to step down argue that he emerged as National President with a clear agreement between the National Coordinating Council (NCC) and the Elders Council that the executives would serve for two terms of four years each.
With their eight-year tenure lapsing, they insist that it is time for fresh faces to take over, as agreed upon.
A National Leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Comrade Adesina Akinpelu, told our Correspondent in a telephone interview that the current executives were appointed in September 2017 by NCC and Elders Council, insisting that their eight years lapses this month ending.
Akinpelu maintained that the executives should step down by this month ending for a caretaker committee that will oversee the process of appointing a new set of executives that will be sworn-in on December 12 this year.
Meanwhile, there is clear handwriting on the wall that Sadam’s leadership of the group may soon come to an end, as aspirant for the position has emerged.
Alhaji Lateef Adewale Oshodi, the Lagos State Chairman, has signified his intention to succeed Sadam as National President.
Sources close to the matter revealed that many OPC New Era leaders are backing Oshodi’s bid, citing his long-standing commitment to the organization since 1997.
However, the National Vice-President of the organization, Chief Adeagbo Adeola, said their tenure will lapse on December 12 this year, not end of this September as being spread by some people.
Chief Adeola, who spoke with our Correspondent in a telephone interview, affirmed that it is stated in the OPC New Era’s constitution that executives can only occupy offices for two terms of four years each.
The Iseyin-born OPC Chieftain added that there is no controversy about the incumbent executives’ tenure, as the constitution has not been amended as at the time of the interview.
The OPC New Era National Vice-President said there is no cause for any alarm, as anybody can show interest in succeeding the incumbent executives.