By Oluwakemi Ishola
A group within Oyo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described Chief Bayo Lawal’s derogatory remarks on Engr. Femi Babalola Jogor and other chieftains of the party as unfortunate and malicious.
The Pacesetter News reported that Bayo Lawal, on Saturday, while featuring on Fresh FM 105.9hz Ibadan Political Circuit on Saturday, described Barr. Sharafadeen Alli, Alhaji Olopoeyan, Engr. Femi Babalola and others as political chickens and immature. “Many of those complaining about Governor Seyi Makinde have received their pays before the election, hence they have no reason to complain” he said.
A group within Oyo State PDP named Ibadan Youth Progressive Circle, while reacting to the State’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, described Pa Bayo Lawal as an epitome of sychophancy and disunity in Oyo PDP.
In a statement signed by its President, Ismail Kareem, the group said that Chief Bayo Lawal’s antecedents were nothing to write home about, citing his stewardship with Chief Yekini Adeojo who made him commissioner under the administration of Governor Rasheed Ladoja. “He displayed his signature act of traitorship by jumping ship to join Chief Adedibu thereby neglecting his benefactor Chief Yekini Adeojo”.
The group stressed that it would not allow a scavenger like Pa Bayo Lawal to rubbish Engr. Femi Babalola (Jogor), who they described as mentor, patron and strong pillar in Oyo PDP.
The statement reads in part:
“He was popularly referred to as an Agbada carrier of Baba Adedibu by those who were close to the circle. One now wonders how true it is when this same man claims he worked for Ladoja. The big question is, in what capacity? Is it possible for a house boy to “make” his Boss? We would like to state categorically that Governor Seyi Makinde needs to be wary of sycophants like Bayo Lawal in his government and in the Party in general. I am of the opinion that those defamatory statements credited to Pa Bayo Lawal are unfortunate and not in sync with someone of his age”
“Gov. Seyi Makinde should be kind enough to appreciate Engr. Babalola for his tremendous efforts at uniting youths in the party and keeping the flag of the party flying at every quarters where he has influenced”.
“The likes of Bayo Lawal, shouldn’t have a place in this govt., afterall he was part of staff of Engr. Makinde while he was contesting for the post of the Governor of Oyo State”.
“We would like to reiterate that our Patron Engr. Femi Babalola (Jogor) is not a man of cheap values and suggesting that he was paid off for the selfless sacrifices he made that ensured that Engineer Seyi Makinde became Governor of Oyo State is quite pitiable. We hereby challenge Pa Lawal to mention how and where his Excellency paid our Patron”.
“In conclusion, we are in PDP because of Jogor and he has been a benefactor and mentor to us. We would like to warn Pa Bayo Lawal, the almost 70 year old commissioner for Local govt to stop maligning a good party man. Jogor has been a pillar and a rock in the party. We will not be cowed into his pranks to play his jeun jeun moves”.
