AC rejects mega party initiative

Action Congress (AC) leaders yesterday dissociated themselves from the mega party initiative, saying the idea is restricted to politicians battling with fading influence.

They also reflected on preparations for the 2011 elections.

The party leaders hinged the survival of democracy on peaceful conduct of the election.

They added that a successful poll may not be possible unless there is democratic reform.

AC National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, former Ogun State Governor Segun Osoba, former Oyo State Governor Lam Adesina, former Ekiti State Governor Niyi Adebayo, AC governorship candidate in Osun State, Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola and Alhaji Tajudeen Bello said danger looms in 2011 if the electoral reform process is jettisoned by the Federal Government.

They spoke at a one-day conference of the Ogun State chapter of the party held at the Bishop Court Hall, Onikolobo, Abeokuta, the state capital.

Governor Babatude Fashola of Lagos State evoked passion at the meeting when he canvassed the restoration of welfarist system of government to the South-West states

The conference entitled: "Olumo2009" was attended by delegates from the 236 wards in the Gateway State and leaders of the party from other states of the federation.

Akande described the conference as a meeting of the national stimulators who were set to build and defend AC, instead of joining the mega party.

Thanking the chapter for its dedication, he assured that their labours would not be in vain.

Adebayo said attendance at the conference instilled confidence that the future of AC in Ogun State is bright.

Osoba said former governors, who were elected under the Alliance for Democracy (AD), had not been guests of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since they left office.

He stressed the need to re-adopt the modified open-secret ballot system.

The system, Osoba said, would stem rigging.

The former governor noted that when Nigeria and Ghana used the method, riggers were left in the cold.

Aregbesola, who spoke on party organisation, suggested that AC should build cadres dedicated to mass mobilisation of party faithful for electoral success.

At the conference were Bisi Adegbuyi, Femi Lanlehin, Lateef Raji, Abiodun Mafe, Daniel Adejobi, Segun Adesegun, Ayo Afolabi, Bimbo Awofeso, Pa Sunmola, Dipo Dina, Kayode Tejuoso, Kayode Soyinka, Pa Farinu, Rafiu Ogunleye, Segun Taiwo and Mudashiru Hussein