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The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has defended the right of the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, to express his views on the political affairs of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including developments in Ogun State.
Dr. Salako described the Senate Leader as eminently qualified to speak on such matters, citing his credentials as a legal professional, human rights activist, and experienced politician with national influence.
He argued that as a key national stakeholder in the APC, Bamidele is at liberty to express opinions on party affairs beyond his home state, stressing that political developments in one state could have broader national implications for the ruling party.
The Minister’s response was conveyed in response to the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, following her reaction to a lecture delivered by Senator Bamidele at an event organised by a group known as Ogun West Professionals for Yayi.
The Deputy Governor had alleged Bamidele of interfering with the affairs of the APC in Ogun State by promoting Ogun West Senator, Solomon Olamilekan, as the governorship candidate of the party in 2027.
Salako-Oyedele had lambasted Bamidele for crossing the line of authority in the State, saying Bamidele’s comment went beyond observation and ventured into the internal political process in Ogun State.
Responding to the Deputy Governor, the minister described the Senate Leader as eminently qualified to speak on such matters, citing his credentials as a legal professional, human rights activist, and experienced politician with national influence.
He argued that as a key national stakeholder in the APC, Bamidele is at liberty to express opinions on party affairs beyond his home state, stressing that political developments in one state could have broader national implications for the ruling party.
The Minister explained that Ogun West Professionals for Yayi is a platform comprising distinguished sons and daughters of Ogun West, many of whom, he said, are not politically partisan but are united by their interest in advancing the Ogun West governorship agenda due to its perceived socio-economic implications for the senatorial district.
According to him, several members of the platform have historically supported the emergence of Ogun West candidates for the governorship and have contributed to the electoral successes of the APC in previous elections.
Dr. Salako noted that Senator Bamidele was invited by the group to deliver a paper addressing political challenges confronting Ogun West in its quest to produce a governor.
The minister stated further that the senator’s lecture constituted a diagnostic review of the historical challenges facing the Ogun West governorship aspiration and offered recommendations based on his experience.
He suggested that stakeholders should focus on evaluating and adopting useful recommendations rather than interpreting them as interference.
Dr. Salako further maintained that expressing support for an aspirant or offering an endorsement does not amount to interference or usurpation of the authority of political leaders within the state.
He described endorsements as a normal feature of political engagement, whether internal or external to a state.
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