The crisis between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has taken another dimension. The feud, centred on control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has led to factionalisation of the party at both federal and state levels.
The tension escalated when the Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, Seun Onifade, sacked officials loyal to former Deputy Governor Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, a leader of the Wike-led faction in Oyo State.
According to reports, the dismissals followed Gbolarumi’s attendance at a meeting organised by the Wike faction in Abuja. In response, Onifade, serving as Chairman under the Makinde administration, terminated the appointments of the loyalists.
Those affected include the Assistant Secretary II, Mr. Olaniyi Stephen; the Supervisory Councillor representing Ward 1, Hon. Sakiru Oladele; and the Supervisory Councillor representing Ward 12, Hon. Latifat Latifu.
In a letter addressed to Olaniyi Stephen and obtained on Friday, Onifade stated that the termination takes immediate effect and advised the sacked officials not to parade themselves as council representatives.
The letter reads: “I wish to refer to the above subject and inform you that your appointment as Assistant Secretary in Ibadan North Local Government has been terminated with immediate effect. You are enjoined henceforth to desist from parading yourself as an official of the Local Government.”
