OSOGBO – The Osun State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed the alleged claim by Mrs. Funmilade Bosede Oyebode to the office of the party’s State Women Leader, declaring that she has neither been authorised nor recognised by the state leadership to occupy the position.
The party also disclosed that it had commenced the constitutional process of appointing a substantive State Women Leader following the death of its former Women Leader, Hon. Princess Gbadeyan Funmilayo Christianah.
In a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the ADC through the National Secretary and the National Women Leader, the Osun State Working Committee (SWC), led by Acting State Chairman, Hon. Okandeji Abideen, expressed appreciation to the national leadership for its support and solidarity following the demise of the late Women Leader.
The party specifically thanked the National Chairman for identifying with the Osun chapter through the Office of the National Women Leader, Hon. Mrs. Naomi Lasara Abel, whose delegation attended the burial of the late Women Leader in Ila-Orangun on Wednesday.
According to the letter, the presence of the national delegation brought comfort to the bereaved family and members of the party in the state.
The Osun ADC, however, urged the national leadership to disregard any representation by Mrs. Bosede regarding the office of the State Women Leader.
“It has come to our notice that Mrs. Oyebode Funmilade Bosede has been approaching members of the State Women Leaders’ Forum and presenting herself with the intention of being recognised or installed as the Osun State Women Leader of the African Democratic Congress,” the letter stated.
The party maintained that Mrs. Bosede is neither a member of the leadership of the ADC in Osun State nor authorised by the State Working Committee to represent the party or lay claim to the office.
The state chapter appealed to the National Chairman, through the offices of the National Secretary and the National Women Leader, not to recognise or accord legitimacy to any claim or request made by Mrs. Bosede concerning the position, describing such actions as unauthorised and not reflective of the position of the duly constituted leadership of the Osun State chapter.
The Acting State Chairman further informed the national leadership that the State Working Committee had already commenced the constitutional process for appointing a substantive State Women Leader.
He said the successful nominee would be formally communicated to the National Secretariat through the appropriate constitutional channel upon completion of the process.
The Osun ADC reaffirmed its loyalty to the national leadership and pledged its continued commitment to the ideals, constitution and progressive vision of the party.
