AHEAD OF EKSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ELECTION: GROUPS DRUM SUPPORT FOR 'AFOLABI FAKAYODE' AMIDST CONTROVERSY.
Sequel to the notice announced by the Electoral Body the Ekiti State University Alumni Association that it's election has been scheduled for 27th March 2021, lots of intrigues, scheming and politicking have started in different camps as it is expected in every association, organization and democratic set-up.
A report has it that a foremost member of the Association who is also a leading aspirant for the post of the National Assistant General Secretary, Mr Afolabi Fakayode popularly known as 'Afooo' had been confronted with series of allegations in a petition officially addressed to the Association's electoral body accusing him of failing to attend any Oyo State Chapter's official meetings, that he has never served in any position in Oyo State chapter before and that he has never attended any of the National convention/AGM before; asking the Electoral Body to disqualify him.
However, in a reply written by Mr Afolabi fakayode, he has alleged Mr Tayo Adegunju (Osama) and Mr Bola Ogunlayi who are members of the National Executive Council (NEC) and Member of Board of Trustees as the actors behind the sponsored blackmail, extreme discrimination and unbearable insults that are being directed at him.
According to Afolabi, "I do not have such capacity to renounce my membership of the Alumni Association, even if I so wish, as the right is inalienably compelling, being a proud holder of EKSU's prestigious University's certificate"
"Even when their allegations are quite laughable, it is sad that in this time and age when human evolution is deeply into innovation and healthy rivalry that stimulate unimaginable developments and intellectual integration that breaks prism and builds bridges for robust participation, people could still hold tight to this kind of primitive ideology that deceitfully ordains them to lord over everybody and everything as though their personal territory is being encroached.
The last meeting we held in Ibadan a week ago during the visit of one of the presidential aspirants, Hon. Segun Odidi, who is also the serving National Secretary was to the presence of the visitors extremely insulting and embarrassingly condescending to the extent of some of their sponsored boys who arrogantly see Ibadan as Oyo state telling me to prove my Oyo state originality to them. I had to refrain from muddling with the pigs as they spent so many unprintable words. THIS INSULT, I CAN NO LONGER TAKE".
Speaking further, Mr Afolabi queried, "how can people who may have earned our certificate through distant learning (apologies to others who deservedly earn their certificate through this channel) be calling to question the eligibility of me who walked the nooks and cranny of our Iworoko- Ekiti (main) campus and partook in every meaningful struggle in the students' movement for six good verifiable years into question? How can someone who thinks the only meeting held in his Bere Oje backyard and not the ones held via online media is valid, requests I prove to his folly my attendance of National Convention while the individuals: Deji Oso (current Ekiti chapter Chairman), Seyi Idowu (current Ogun state Chairman) and Kehinde Okunuga (current Ogun chapter Gen Sec) whom I had attended convention with are there to testify to the appropriate authority I did attend. That is all that was required on the application and I wait for Deji Oso, Seyi Idowu and Kehinde Okunuga to testify against my presence for me to present other proofs, otherwise, I won’t accept a challenge other aspirants were not subjected to, just to please some self-acclaimed godfathers".
"I don’t need to go far on my role in the chapter. Through communication on the chapter online platform and direct consultation of your leadership, you all were witnesses to the leadership I offered the chapter as the Chairman of the harmonization committee which had some of their lieutenants as members in the also quite an unpleasant warm-up that ushered in the current chapter executives ably led by Adebayo Blessing. In all modesty, some of these detractors can not even match in twenty years what we financially contributed to ensuring the Chapter election was held in Oyo State, unlike the self-appointed executives it used to be"
Mr Fakayode Afolabi acknowledged the current leadership of Asiwaju (Dr) Oludotun Adetunberu for his progressive membership drive and leadership Excellence, asking all to join hands with the new brand he has created to build a formidable Alumni community in the years ahead.
"Let me state here very clearly that my resolve to contribute my humble but valuable quota to the ongoing effort of your administration to advancing the course of our Alma mata is irrevocable. Despite their machinations, this house CANNOT FALL", Afolabi concluded in his letter forwarded to the National Executive Council of the Association.
In similar reactions, the Ekiti State Chapter and Ogun State Chapter under the leadership of Comrade Deji Oso Dejavu and Hon Seyi Idowu Urban had publicly endorsed the candidacy of Mr Afolabi Fakayode.
In a release made by Comrade Deji Oso Dejavu, he gave a brief history of his trajectory in the Alumni Association and stated that his appearance at the 2011 national convention was motivated by Mr Fakayode Afolabi and Hon Seyi Idowu.
According to Deji Oso, "that I was at the convention in 2011 to agitate for a democratic EKSU Alumni Association that can recognize not just graduates from OSUA alone but also UNAD and EKSU graduates, which gave birth to the agreement leading to the integration of younger generation of graduates into the Alumni leadership was an opinion collectively mooted by the trio of Afolabi, Seyi Idowu and Deji Oso".
Stating further, "for us in Ekiti, we believe in Afoo. He is a tested and trusted Alumnus. Hence, he will definitely add quality integrity and excellent values to the Association if elected", Deji Oso affirmed.
In a similar vein, The Ogun State Chapter Chairman Hon. Seyi Idowu Urban has also lent his backing to
Afolabi Fakayod stating that he is not just qualified to run as the National Asst General Secretary of the Association alone, but would be an indispensable pride and asset to the Association.
"I do hereby support Afolabi Fakayode for the purpose of building and strengthening the capacity of our Association in advancing the overall course of our University, Seyi Idowu concluded.
Meanwhile, Mr Tayo Adegunju (Osama) has responded to the allegations levelled against him by Mr Afolabi Fakayode, describing the claims as unverifiable, ridiculous and fallacious.
"I have since moved on and won't, therefore, respond to the lies.
What is important to me more is the stability and development of EKSU Alumni Association, other issues are secondary", Adegunju Osama noted.
