The Coalition of Presidential Campaign Councils (CPCC), an APC support group in Oyo State, has raised concerns over the alleged neglect of its members by President Bola Tinubu's administration. The group claims that several of its coordinators and grassroots mobilisers who worked across Oyo State's 33 local government areas, 351 wards, and 6,390 polling units have not been adequately recognised, appointed, or integrated into the administration despite their contributions to Tinubu's campaign.
According to CPCC Chief Coordinator in Oyo State, Hon. Yemi Akinwale, the alleged exclusion has affected members' morale, urging the Presidency and APC leadership to create mechanisms for recognising and engaging the support groups that worked at the grassroots. Akinwale made the demand at a news conference in Ibadan, saying the continued exclusion of the support groups has created frustration among members who expected the structures they built during the election campaign to be recognised and engaged after the election.
The coalition comprises representatives of various support groups and grassroots structures that mobilised voters and worked to secure support for Tinubu throughout the state during the 2023 presidential election. Many of the coordinators and grassroots mobilisers who contributed to the campaign were yet to receive adequate recognition or opportunities to participate in the governance process. This situation has created frustration among members who expected to be recognised and engaged after the election.
Akinwale stressed that the demand was not aimed at undermining Tinubu, the APC leadership, or the administration, but at ensuring that the grassroots structures that contributed to the President's electoral victory were not left outside the governance process. The coalition is seeking urgent engagement with the Presidency, APC leadership, and relevant government authorities to address the concerns and create opportunities for greater participation.
The administration could communicate its policies, programmes, and achievements more effectively if it engaged individuals and structures with established relationships within communities, Akinwale said. Proper engagement would also enable the coalition to provide constructive feedback from the grassroots and help strengthen democratic participation. The coalition believes that there is a need to strengthen communication and engagement at the grassroots.
The coalition appealed to the Presidency, APC leadership, and relevant government authorities to urgently establish mechanisms for the recognition, inclusion, and engagement of Oyo State support groups. It also requested an opportunity to meet with Tinubu or any authority designated by him to formally present its concerns and proposed roadmap for effective grassroots engagement. The coalition's structures remain available to support the administration and can be better positioned to communicate government achievements and policies to communities.
Akinwale reaffirmed the coalition's loyalty to Tinubu and his Renewed Hope agenda, saying its members remain willing to work within established political and governmental structures. The group is ready to contribute positively to the success of the administration while continuing to promote democratic participation in Oyo State and across the country. The men and women represented by this coalition remain committed to Nigeria, committed to Oyo State, and committed to democratic participation.
Key points
- The Coalition of Presidential Campaign Councils demands recognition, appointments, and inclusion for its members who contributed to President Bola Tinubu's 2023 presidential election victory.
- The alleged neglect of the support groups has affected members' morale and created frustration among them.
- The coalition seeks to engage with the Presidency, APC leadership, and government authorities to address its concerns and create opportunities for greater participation.
