A prominent Oyo State ECOWAS youth ambassador, media entrepreneur and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ido Local Government, Omiyale Ademola of Ward 7, has resigned his membership of the party after 19 years, citing what he described as the party’s deteriorating condition and the sidelining of its founding members.
Ademola, in an emotional resignation statement, said leaving the APC was one of the most difficult political decisions of his life, having spent nearly two decades defending and contributing to the growth of the progressive political family in Oyo State.
He traced his involvement in progressive politics to 2007, when the late former Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, contested the governorship election under the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
According to him, his commitment to progressive politics continued through the political transitions involving the AD, AC, ACN and eventually the APC.
He said he and other early members endured difficult times, made sacrifices and worked extensively to build what eventually became the APC in the state.
However, Ademola said the death of his political mentor and father-figure, Senator Ajimobi, had a profound impact on him and, in his view, marked the beginning of a significant decline in the party’s political structure and values in Oyo State.
“The tragic demise of my great leader, mentor and political father, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi, did not just leave a void in Oyo State—it inflicted severe, lasting emotional damage on me,” he said.
He alleged that following Ajimobi’s death, the party gradually lost what he described as the leadership, guidance and vision that had previously held its members together.
The former APC member further expressed disappointment that individuals who, according to him, were not part of the party’s formative struggles had assumed influential positions, while some of its early builders and loyal members had become sidelined.
Ademola said he had watched the situation closely, prayed for improvement and hoped that the party would regain its footing, but claimed that the current state of the APC in Oyo State had become difficult to salvage.
He also criticised ongoing reconciliation efforts within the party, describing them as insufficient to resolve what he termed deep-rooted challenges.
“No meaningful outcome can emerge from the current reconciliation processes; they are cosmetic treatments on a terminal ailment,” he stated.
Despite his decision to leave the party, Ademola expressed appreciation to APC leaders who had provided him with guidance, mentorship and support during his years of membership.
He said he would continue to cherish the victories recorded with fellow party members and the relationships forged over the years.
Explaining his decision to resign, Ademola said he could no longer remain in a political environment where, in his assessment, the contributions and sacrifices of the party’s early builders were being forgotten.
“To the APC, I say goodbye. It is a painful farewell, but a necessary one for my political peace and future,” he declared.
Ademola signed the resignation statement as a member of Ward 7, Ido Local Government, Oyo State.
