Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has made it clear that embattled House of Representatives member, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, has the right to challenge Governor Kayode Fayemi in next year’s gubernatorial ballot in Ekiti State, South-West Nigeria.

Tinubu had been earlier quoted as advising Bamidele to withdraw for Fayemi but the content of his press statement issued yesterday in Lagos gave a contrary impression. The strongman of Yoruba politics in the statement personally signed by himself frowned at the persecution of Bamidele, one of his long-time lieutenants. He condemned Bamidele’s removal as Leader of Ekiti Caucus of the House of Reps and called for a reversal of the decision.

The former Lagos State Governor also warned against any further persecution of Bamidele or any other party member for that matter, as that runs counter to the principles of the ACN. He said in the statement:

“It has been reported that members of the Ekiti State Caucus in the House of Representatives suspendedHon. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, as their leader because of his alleged declaration to contest the governorship election next year. Ihave not seen an official word through the party machinery about this action. However, Ifeel compelled to speak to dispel rumor and false report fromassuming the aspect of fact.

“The news of thepurported removal ofOpeyemi Bamidele cameas a surprise. The decision of the members of the Ekiti House Caucus in this regardtruncates ongoing efforts at reconciliation, notwithstandingthefact that the party leadership isworking hard to reconcile all sides.What took some members of theleadership of thepartytoEkiti State recently was a continuation of the process of appeal and reconciliation.The objectivehere isto first understand and ironout the issues that have resorted in a gulf between Opeyemi Bamidele and Governor Kayode Fayemi on one hand and thepartytowards buildinga formidable political house in Ekiti. From my vantage point, Idon’t believe the members of the Ekiti caucus couldpossibly take such astep for such a scant reason.Itrusttheir democratic pedigree tohighlybelievethatthey wouldnot be usedtotakethis false step which would violate established party rules, processes andtraditions.

“For instance, decisions of this critical nature must be done with the consultation of the national leadership of the party.From what I can gather, our National Chairmanand the party’s leadership werenever consulted nor notified about the pendency of such a stark action. For that reason alone, if such an action has been taken, those who did so should retrace their steps to avoid creating an unnecessary difficulty for themselves and the Ekiti chapter of the party .. . Beyond the issue of procedure and rules, there is the tiny matter of internal party democracy to consider. Ihave said before, any party member has a right to contest the governorship of Ekiti or any other state. Any other person, including Opeyemi Bamidele, has the right to. This right is so fundamental to internal democracy that Ido not believe he should be sanctioned at this point where the most he has done is make unofficial statements about contesting. Our party cannot join the club of other parties that punish members for expressing interests in an office.

“WhileOpeyemiBamidele’spositionmay not be popular among his colleagues, he has the right to believe as he does. We must protect and smother unpopular and minority positions. If we don’t like it, we vote against it at the appropriate time but we do not punish people simply for thinking differently, this is how we must grow our democracy. Thus, Opeyemi Bamidele was expressing his democratic rights. To unilaterally suspend him as leader of the House Caucus is a questionable one they should reconsider. It would appear tocontravenethe letter and best spirit ofparty democracy.While we have no problem in him pursuing his democratic ambition without intimidation and persecution, we will continue our efforts at persuading him not to rock the boat and play into the hands of our opponent particularly the PDP shenanigans. Political conflict, challenges and resolutions are the hallmarks of political association and leadership, orderly means of all efforts at democratically resolving those conflicts are not endless in any way. “Accordingly, I urgeourfive lawmakers; Robison Ajiboye, Bamidele Faparusi, Bimbo Daramola, Dr. Ifeoluwa Arowosoge, and Oyetunde Ojoto reverse themselves and embrace the process of amicable resolution already put in place by the party and that have been producing good fruit. To do otherwise is to give comfort to those whowould seek to divide the Ekiti State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria.We appeal to those promoting these divisions to sheathe their swords in the interest of the party and its ardent followers. We cannot forget so soon the struggle and what it cost us to get to where we are today. We owe it to the Ekiti people and all democrats in the country to sustain and protect this hard won democracy. All true progressives must rise up in defence of individual freedom and promotion of democratic values.

“We shall overcome for the good ofall.”

•Photo shows Asiwaju Tinubu.