Kunle Adelabu
-My problem started after declaring for the Council’s Chairmanship seat -CDC Chairman
The crisis that has been brewing within the Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (lBLCDA) has reached another dimension as the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Pastor Abayomi Adelakun (FCA, ACA, ACTI), was suspended on Monday, following some allegations levelled against him.
It was stated that the Council Chairman, Builder Sesan Daini, approved the suspension of Pastor Adelakun who is serving his second term, pending his final removal.
This was made public on Monday, in a statement titled, “Clarification On the Indefinite Suspension of the CDC Chairmen, Pastor Abayomi Adelakun by the CDC Exco and Zonal Chairmen, ratified by the Executive Chairman, IBLCDA, on Monday 22nd July, 2024, at the Council Chambers, signed by the Joint Exco and Zonal Chairmen.
Meanwhile, the embattled CDC Chairman has described his suspension as political, pointing at his declaration to contest for the Chairmanship of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, as a primary reason for his ordeal.
“The joint body of 12 CDC executives out of 15 and 7 Zonal Chairmen out of 10 presented a very strong petition to the office of the Executive Chairman, IBCDA, on the grounds of abuse of office , of transparency and gross misconduct”, the statement stated.
It was alleged that the suspended CDC Chairmen was given an opportunity to defend himself but he wasn’t convincing enough.
“The executive chairman, IBCDA, gave Pastor Abayomi Adelakun fair hearing by giving him opportunity to defend himself against all the allegations, but the suspended CDC chairman offered very feeble defense in the face of all the heavy allegations.
“The Executive Chairman, Builder Olusesan Mayokun Daini, therefore, had no choice but to approve the indefinite suspension of the erstwhile CDC chairman, on the grounds stated above.
“Consequently, the CDC first vice chairman, Alhaji Rasak Ibiyeye, was appointed as the acting chairman, pending the ratification of the suspension and final removal of the suspended chairman and bye-elections by the CDC Congress in line with the CDC constitution.
“All CDC members and leaders are, hereby, advised to take note of the development in order to preserve the integrity and smooth running of the IBCDA CDC”, the statement added.
In his reaction to the alleged suspension, Pastor Adelakun provided details of the allegations vis-a-vis his responses.
The allegations ranges from his intention to contest for political position to alleged diversion of food items, clothes and funds; lack of programmes since his emergence and failure to delegate power among others.
His reactions, which he personally made available to THE IMPACT, is titled, ‘My Suspension As CDC Chairman Is More Political Than Constitutional’.
He said that he was not avail a copy of the petition signed by the community functionaries, to enable him have details of his alleged wrong doings and opportunity to respond.
“Yesterday, Monday, July 22, 2024, Com Daini called a special meeting with the following in attendance: (1) All the sixteen CDC Excos, (2) Eight zonal chairmen, (3) IBLCDA councilors, (4) IBLCDA supervisor councilors, (5) The Balogun of Igbogbo, (6) The CAN Chairman, (7) The representative of Imam of Igbogbo and (8) The DPO of Igbogbo.
“Com. Daini presided over the meeting and presented a petition written and signed by 12 Excos and 7 zonal chairmen.
“These people that signed the petition did not give me a copy of the petition, neither did they allow me to read the petition”.
The allegations, as stated by Pastor Adelakun, and his own responses are provided below verbatim:
“Com. Daini called 5 of the people that signed the petition to talk on the petition; below are their issues raised in the petition and my responses:
(1) PASTOR OGUNRINDE
a). I am going against the objective of CDA/ CDC, by having an ambition to contest for IBLCDA Chairmanship.
MY RESPONSE
a. There is no part in the constitution that forbids anyone to have ambition.
b. The following CDC chairmen and CDC Excos in other LGs and LCDAs have signified their intention to contest for Chairmanship position without any opposition:
I. Com Abiodun Ashaka—Imota LCDA.
ii Alhaji Kazeem—Egbe/Idimu LCDA.
III. Engr. Adelani—Itire/Ikate LG.
iv. Barr Rosiji—Ojokoro LCDA.
- MR OLAYINKA
I. Adelakun Abayomi took home five pieces of Igbogbo day clothes given to CDC by Com Daini. MY RESPONSE
I distributed the five clothes to five principal officers, and I pointed them out immediately, Adelakun, Yaya Ogunsowo (Sec.), Wale Gbadamosi (Treasurer), Ibiyeye (1st vice) and Iyabo Salisu (2nd Vice).
- I didn’t inform the house about five ‘Apo Anu’ food packages from Rep Jimi Benson.
RESPONSE
It was agreed that the ‘Apo Anu’ should be given to CDC Excos on rotational basis. Based on the record, I distributed them to Ibiyeye (1st vice), Iyabo Salisu (2nd vice), Yaya Ogunsowo (sec), Wale Gbadamosi (treasurer) and Aremu (Fin. Sec).
- That Adelakun stole the CDC Ram from state. MY RESPONSE.
One ILEYA ram was given to chairman and secretary of Igbogbo -Baiyeku LCDA and Ikorodu LG (four people).
After deliberation, it was agreed that the ram should be sold to another CDC Chairman who is a Muslim. The money was shared by the four people. Anyone can call these three people to confirm this.
- MR ESHINLOKUN
I. Lack of welfarism and cooperation with Agric dept.
MY RESPONSE
I have cordial relationship with Agric dept.
ii. Over ten months, CDC did not organize any programme.
MY RESPONSE
Since our inauguration in September 2023, we can’t withdraw money from the CDC’s Sterling bank account, because we couldn’t change the signatories. Since the inauguration, I have personally financed the CDC, to the tune of N502,000, hence, I didn’t want to spend more.
III. Lack of delegation
MY RESPONSE
This is not true because l don’t interfere in collection of money, writing of minutes, e.t.c
iv. During Ajebo CDA crisis, I didn’t show any concern.
MY RESPONSE
I delegated Wale Gbadamosi to act on my behalf and he was giving me updates from time to time.
(4) ALHAJA SALISU IYABO
I. That Adelakun has acted against the objective of CDA/ CDC, by showing ambition to contest for Chairmanship position in Igbogbo -Baiyeku LCDA.
MY RESPONSE
CDA/CDC don’t forbid anyone from showing interest to contest.
ii. Adelakun didn’t participate in the sharing of last federal govt. palliatives.
MY RESPONSE
I deliberately allowed all Excos to do the sharing, because during the last state govt palliative sharing, I was accused of doing it with few Excos.
- WALE GBADAMOSI.
I. That Adelakun is using divide and rule in CDC.
MY RESPONSE
This is not true.
