Former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State Otunba Oladele Ajomale yesterday lamented the collapse of ideological politics in the country.
He said there is no demarcation among the existing political parties, based on philosophy and ideas, stressing that they only operate as vehicles for seeking power.
Ajomale, a former member of APC National Executive Committee, said while the ruling party decided to be different during its formative stage, its ideological purity was eroded with the passage of time.
The former chairman spoke on the ‘role and responsibilities of party executives’ at a retreat for the members of the chapter’s State Executive Committee in Lagos.
A political science teacher from the Leeds University, Ibadan, Dr. Tunde Oseni, spoke on ‘Mobilisation of party,’ at the retreat attended by Governance Advisory Council (GAC) members-former Deputy Governor Abiodun Ogunleye, Dr. Yomi Finnih and Omooba Muyiwa Sosanya.
Ajomale said the party officers have a great responsibility in ensuring the consistent electoral victory of the party during elections.
Describing the party as the platform for electing the governor and the parliament, he also charged party officers to be alive to their constitutional duty of party management.
Ajomale, who traced the history of APC from its inception, lamented what he described as ideological pollution, recalling that APC took off as a democratic and progressive party.
He added: “We need to know whether we are progressive, democrat or republican, which is conservative. There is pollution in the country. I am not a politician, but a politologist.”
Emphasising the importance of the party constitution, Ajomale advised the officers to study and understand their responsibilities as stated in the document.
He said: “Executives must pay attention to the tripod of constitution, manifestos and vision of the party. The constitution contains the principles. You should study it so that you can understand your responsibilities and limitations.
“All executives should have copies of the constitution. The constitution specifies the roles of members of the executive committee.”
Ajomale described the party officers as representatives of the local governments and facilitators of information flow who should not sit on any information.
He said the party chairman and members of his team should maintain an open door policy and interact widely with other party members.
The former chairman said all party officers and members are important, adding that a suggestion from an individual can lead to electoral breakthrough.
Noting that election can generate stress, Ajomale advised the executive committee to adopt the committee system or approach to problem solving.
He also said the onus is on the Cornelius Ojelabi-led committee to cooperate and always lend support to other arms of government.
In the view, the blame for success and failure would be collectively shared by all.
He said executive members should interact, not to plan a coup, but always hold meetings regularly for deliberation, planning, review and evaluation.
Paying tribute to those who served with him, Ajomale said the contributions of Pa Abiodun Sunmola, James Odunmbaku, Funso Ologunde, Joe Igbokwe, Demola Sodiq and the former welfare office who hails from Epe will not be forgotten.
He rejected the notion of choosing commissioners and special advisers because the appointees are perceived as technocrats.
Ajomale, a lawyer and diplomat said:”I told Ambode that he cannot swear in his commissioners until they were brought for a retreat. He brought them a day before the swearing in. They came.
“I didn’t know some of them. Some of them came from Londin. They were in London when people were working for the party. They called them technocrats. Who is a technocrat? Who is not a technocrat?”
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