A former commissioner for health in Ogun State and loyalist of ex-governor Ibikunle Amosun, Dr Babatunde Ipaye, has hinted at plans to reconcile Amosun and the incumbent Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
Abiodun and Amosun had been at the loggerheads during 2019 election over the structure of the All Progressives Congress in the state.
Ipaye said the two political leaders have been reached and advised to allow peace to reign between themselves for the progress of the party.
Ipaye stated this in a statement titled, ‘It’s Time to Heal,’ made available to newsmen on Wednesday.
The Amosun loyalist noted that it is important that the two APC leaders settle their grudges between them.
Ipaye admitted that he took varying positions against the incumbent governor’s failure in the health sector, stating that his position was justifiable.
He said, “My position in Ogun APC and the side I belonged to was never in doubt. I took varying positions against Governor Dapo Abiodun’s government on our health system not because I was blindly loyal, I did because, in my opinion, I had a more accurate position.
“A full cycle of political process had just been concluded with the APC national convention. Winners have emerged, they need our support. The party and the government in Ogun need to build back better. It is time to heal and it is time for me to play my part once again.
“For me, a loyal disciple does not abandon his principal during a storm. It was a collective decision, we faced the storm together and there is no doubt we fought a good battle for a course I felt was just.
“Returning back to the APC political family, which we never truly left, is to actualise the sacred commitment we made before going through the avoidable political quagmire of 2019.”
The former Commissioner for Health under the Amosun administration added that his loyalty to the party made him not consider defecting as others had done.
He said, “Some of our people were so aggrieved that they decided to try their luck elsewhere. I do not have the capacity for such extreme ideological shift.
“I preferred to make peace with my ‘egbon’, Governor Dapo Abiodun and the family that gave me an opportunity to serve. He supported me in my moment sometime in 2014 as mandated by Ibikunle Amosun. I should be bold to support him unconditionally too.
“I know by this decision I may step on toes, please accept my heartfelt apologies and like I stated elsewhere – it is time to recalibrate. A full cycle of loyalty was achieved in my humble perception, I will always remain grateful to my boss and support his aspirations without hurting my own political constituency.”
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