GNI, Akinosi Break Silence Over Absence At Ogun West APC Stakeholders Meeting
ABEOKUTA – Following the backlash that trailed the absence of some National Assembly members at the Ogun West APC Stakeholders meeting held on Friday at the Ilaro-Yewa, the House of Representatives member representing Imeko-Afon/Ipokia federal constituency, Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka and his Ado-Odo/Ota federal constituency counterpart, Hon. Tunji Akinosi have narrated the reasons for their absence.
The stakeholders meeting, according to the Senatorial Chairman, Chief Muhammed Azeez Ekwueme was convened to discuss the APC membership e-registration exercise and other matters of importance to the health of the party.
Ekwueme said the meeting was also convened to form a unified front for Yewa/Awori ahead of the 2027 general elections in Ogun State.
He disclosed that an invitation was sent to all party leaders, stressing that the absentees had strong alibis to avoid the meeting, as some of them were on official assignments outside the country.
The meeting had in attendance, the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial district Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Kunle Salako, Mr Olaoluwa Olabimtan, the Ogun State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, all the state assembly members from Ogun West, and past national and state assembly members.
The Encounter News observed that, notable dignitaries absent at the meeting include the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, Hon. Tunji Akinosi and Hon. Abiodun Iziaq Akinlade.
Their absence was, however, greeted with condemnation by some sections of Ogun West.
Speaking on his absence, the lawmaker representing Imeko-Afon/Ipokia federal constituency, Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka said it was incorrect and unfair to insinuate that his absence was premeditated, deliberate or politically orchestrated.
Isiaka who spoke through his media assistant, Femi Peters, explained that on January 14, the APC Senatorial Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Azeez Ekwueme informed him of an impending senatorial meeting of the party.
Peters noted that, at the point of their discussion, no date had been fixed for the meeting, but GNI immediately informed the senatorial chairman that he was already scheduled to travel on Thursday on a previously arranged personal trip outside the country.
According to Peters, GNI did not return to Nigeria until Sunday two days after the Senatorial meeting was held.
He posited that the social media backlash on some absentees at the meeting smacked of mischief.
He maintained that GNI remains a committed and loyal member of the All Progressives Congress with a consistent record of party engagement and consultation.
He disclosed that routine personal travel should not be twisted into narratives of avoidance or disloyalty.
Similarly, the lawmaker representing Ado-Odo/Ota federal constituency, Hon. Tunji Akinosi confirmed that an invitation to the meeting was extended to him, but he was on a national assignment outside the country which prevented him from attending the meeting.
