There is an ongoing controversy over the failure of the newly appointed Minister of State for Niger Delta, Prof. Claudius Daramola to visit the All Progressives Congress [APC] secretariat in Ondo State, leading to disappointment among members and party leadership.
DAILY POST was informed that they became disappointed not only that he was not able to meet the party members but for having allegedly initiated the meeting with the party members, and failed to show up.
It was gathered that the latest development would be making it the third time Daramola would be allegedly calling up a meeting with the party members, but would at the end of the day not show up.
Our correspondent observed that excited party members with journalists had gathered at the party secretariat along Oba-Adesida/Oyemekun road as early as 8.am on Friday, waiting patiently for the minister, who was expected at the party secretariat around 11.am.
Although, the party Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke was yet to arrive the state at that time, but it was learnt that he had directed his Deputy, Engr. Ade Adetimehin and other executive members of the party to receive the minister.
Sources within the party, however, revealed that Daramola’s change of mind might not be unconnected with the division within the party ahead of the 2016 governorship election.
But other sources told DAILY POST that there are factions within the party who are still aggrieved over the emergence of Daramola as minister and desperately looking for means to bring him down.
It was further gathered that one of the senators from of party in the state who is backing Daramola might have allegedly changed his mind over his earlier scheduled visit to the party secretariat, hence his failure to show up.
A party member in Akure ward two said Daramola, later arrived the state capital around 6:30pm but refused to go to the party secretariat said, “I saw him at one of the party leaders’ house around the stadium road in Akure at about 8pm. I was also told that he visited few other APC leaders in Akure before travelling to his hometown, Ode-Aye in Okitipupa local government” He said.
Another party source, Mr. Igbekele Olayiwola said, “the minister will be spending his weekend in Ondo state. He was expected to meet APC members and he was also having an event at his home town, Ode-Aye on Saturday but we are disappointed that he has failed to show up.
“This is the third time he would be initiating meetings with the party members and at the end of the day, Daramola will not show up. We don’t understand him and I think with his age and academic background, he should act as a rally point for the party.”
A member of the party Exco said that the meeting was organized so that it could serve as an avenue for the Minister to reach out to the members since his candidacy was not supported by majority at the initial stage.
He said what got them angry was that he did not call or send any message to explain his action.
“Some of these people travelled from far places to be here today and they will still go back, yet he did not even call and now his phone is switched off,” he said
Director of Media and Publicity for the party, Mr Steve Otaloro, however apologized to journalists who were also there for hours, waiting to cover the event.
But, Daramola, who spoke with DAILY POST on phone denied shunning the executives and party members.
He said his visit to the state was private and not for any meeting with party members.
He, however, said he holds the party members in high esteem and that he was preparing for a day that he would be celebrating with them.
Daramola explained that he was in the state to visit his hometown’s monarch, his Majesty, the Halu of Ode-Aye, on the occasion of Layelu Day which held last Saturday, adding that he was also at Odigbo where the Orunja of Odigbo, held had his own celebration before he returned to Abuja on the same day.
It would be recalled that the minister allegedly initiated a meeting with the party leaders and members at the party Secretariat along Oba-Adesida/Oyemekun road in Akure, last Friday, but did not attend.
Party members who were already gathered at the secretariat as early as 8.am were disappointed when they were informed, that the minister would not be coming again.
It was gathered that Daramola later arrived the state capital in the evening and visited some party leaders in Akure before travelling to his hometown in Ode-Aye.
But the minister said he did not direct or call for meeting with the party members, adding that he only informed the party Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke that he would be in the state during the weekend.
Daramola said, “I informed the chairman about my coming to the state and arrived Akure around 10pm. I visited the chairman and the former deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Ali Olanusi before travelling the same night to my hometown, Ode-Aye.
“The following day which was on Saturday, I only spent one hour in Ode-Aye with my king and also one hour with Orunja of Odigbo before leaving the state.
“I should not have attended the event because I have just resumed office and the Permanent Secretary and Directors are still briefing us, but being an Ode-Aye man, I couldn’t afford to miss such an event.
“The report that I have initiated meetings with the party members on three occasions is not correct. My visit is private and I can never disrespect or shun members of my party anytime they need my attention”.
Also, a chieftain of APC, Prof. Raphael Akinfaderin urged the party members not to mis-interpret the visit of the minister, saying Daramola would never shun the party.
Former Chairman of Irele local government, Mr. Nicholas Akinbiola equally assured that the minister would soon hold an inclusive fanfare with members and executives of the party.
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