Group Accuses Akande of Planning to Impose Daughter as Lawmaker

A group, Boluwaduro Democratic Vanguard (BDV), has charged a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, not to impose his daughter, Dr, Temitope Ilori, as House of Representatives candidate, urging him to allow internal democracy to thrive in Osun State, especially the federal constituency.

But in response to the allegation yesterday, Ilori, who is the state Commissioner for Health, said the alleged imposition was not true but a fabrication of lies.

She said the whole “lies” were just a dream from her detractors who are from her constituency and nothing more.

In a statement signed by Mr. Tunde Ogundeji and made available to journalists in Osogbo, the group contended that “contemporary politics has shown that imposition of candidates is capable of throwing spanners in the works of the party.”

According to him, “We have it on good authority that Baba (Akande) has started sinister moves to anoint his daughter, Mrs. Ilori as the House candidate in Boluwaduro/Ila, Ifedayo federal constituency.

‘’It will be dangerous for our dear leader and other stakeholders not to clear the air on this issue speedily, especially as the governorship election is around the corner.

‘’For true lovers of our democracy, our leaders should by now understand that imposition and anointing of candidates will only destroy the party and diminish our acceptability,’’ the statement said.

According to Ogundeji: “We are sounding this note of caution requesting that the APC leadership and the affected leader make their stand known on this issue before the governorship election.

‘’It is important to remind our leaders that when there is mistrust in the party system, there is every likelihood for consequences which may not be in the interest of the APC.

“Chief Akande, at this point, should be a reference point for true democratic ideals and should not stain his political credentials by promoting such issue that may portray him as cornering everything for his immediate family.

‘’After all, his daughter is a serving commissioner. If she is interested in running for the House, she should come to the field like others,” Ogundeji added.