The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has distanced itself from a call by its Oyo governorship candidate, Alao Akala, asking supporters of the party to vote for another party’s presidential candidate.
In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja signed by its national secretary, Steve Uwazie, the party condemned Akala’s behaviour and urged him to withdraw the statement.
“It came to our notice that Akala made this call while condemning the postponement of last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly Election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), at his country home in Ogbomosho.
“This was made public while interacting with his followers, admirers and party faithful as published by the Vanguard Newspaper of Sunday, February 17.
“The ADP leadership is shocked that a party member of the caliber of Alao Akala, whom the party has given the opportunity to vie for the gubernatorial election under its platform in an important state like Oyo.
“That he would admonish party supporters to vote for the presidential candidate of another party when the ADP is in the presidential race with a credible and more competent candidate in person of Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani.
“ADP considers this attitude as very previous and unacceptable anti-party activity.
“At no time did the ADP being the credible alternative Nigerians are yearning for entered into an alliance with any political party or candidate to warrant Chief Akala’s unholy romance and illegal endorsement of another party.
“Or candidate at this critical period when all hands are on deck to rescue Nigeria from the clutches of dubious politicians who have held the country to ransom for about 20 years.
“We, therefore, call on Alao Akala as a matter of urgency to publicly withdraw that endorsement he made within the next 48 hours or face disciplinary action from the leadership of the party.”
