The Executive Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Prince Olabiyi Olaleye Poroye, has called for unity, reconciliation and renewed grassroots mobilisation within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Poroye made the call during a series of engagements with APC local government executives, councillors, ward chairmen, secretaries and other stakeholders at the OSOPADEC Area Office, GRA, Igbokoda.
The meetings focused on party unity, reconciliation, grassroots mobilisation, political representation and equitable access to government opportunities.
Poroye, who has been entrusted with a reconciliation responsibility within the party in the state, urged APC members to set aside personal differences and place the collective interest of the party above individual ambitions.
He said political disagreements should be resolved through dialogue, maturity and strategic engagement rather than confrontation.
“Politics is not love affairs. Politics is in the brain,” he said, urging party members to approach political activities with strategy, ideology and careful planning.
The OSOPADEC chairman also charged party members to remain loyal to the administration of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and refrain from actions capable of undermining the government.
He declared that the governor had never engaged in anti-party politics and warned politicians against using the governor’s name to pursue personal interests or engage in activities capable of damaging his reputation.
“Aiyedatiwa has never played anti-party politics. Don’t sabotage the Governor’s name,” Poroye warned.
Addressing APC councillors, the chairman urged elected representatives to remain connected to their constituents and ensure that government appointments, employment and empowerment opportunities were spread across their communities.
He said public office should be regarded primarily as an avenue to serve the people rather than a means of personal enrichment.
Poroye also called on party leaders to work collectively to ensure that Ondo State secures its fair share of federal appointments and other opportunities.
At the ward-level meeting, stakeholders particularly raised the issue of the formal recognition and inauguration of ward secretaries.
Responding, Poroye said discussions were ongoing with relevant party leaders, stressing that strong grassroots structures remained critical to effective political organisation, communication and mobilisation.
“Strong grassroots structures are essential to effective political organisation, communication and mobilisation,” he said.
On the flooding and erosion affecting some communities, Poroye disclosed that OSOPADEC had prepared a proposal for intervention by the state government.
He explained that temporary repairs would not provide a lasting solution, noting that sustainable intervention required proper technical assessment, surveying and mapping before major projects were undertaken.
The chairman further disclosed plans for collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and local government authorities to map affected areas and develop appropriate drainage and channelisation systems.
On OSOPADEC projects, Poroye said the Commission had adopted a deliberate policy of completing existing and abandoned projects before embarking on numerous new ones.
“We must complete what we have started and put existing projects to use rather than spread available resources across too many new projects,” he said.
He also disclosed that OSOPADEC was working with companies and organisations to create employment opportunities for youths, while additional proposals had been submitted to expand existing empowerment programmes.
Defending the Commission’s investments in education, property and other productive ventures, Poroye explained that the initiatives were part of a long-term strategy aimed at strengthening OSOPADEC’s financial sustainability.
“Organisations that fail to save and invest responsibly may face financial difficulties in the future,” he warned.
APC leaders in Ilaje commended Poroye for his reconciliation efforts and accessibility. The leader of the legislative council for Ilaje Local Government, Rt. Hon. Francis Omosule Ikuemehinlo; the APC Publicity Secretary, Agbeni Blessing; Chairman, Conference of APC Ward Chairmen, Hon. Adegbenro Ogbaro; as well as a representative of the APC councillors, Hon. Egbaletiwon Emmanuel, praised Poroye's leadership and commitment to grassroots development.
The ward secretaries, represented by Oloruntimilehin Suji, appealed for their speedy inauguration and formal recognition.
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