UNITY WITHOUT JUSTICE IS POLITICAL DECEPTION; A RESPONSE TO DR. LAKUNLE OLUWASEUN IBRAHIM'S OPEN LETTER TO COL. GBENGA ADEGBOLA (RTD.)
We have carefully read the open letter written by Dr. Lakunle Oluwaseun Ibrahim on behalf of the Ogunesan Support Group. Unfortunately, what was presented as a call for unity is, in reality, an attempt to legitimize a process that many party faithful believe was fundamentally flawed.
Let us be clear from the outset: this struggle is not about Colonel Gbenga Adegbola. It is not about Professor Adeolu Akande. It is not about any individual's ambition. It is about the integrity of the APC and the preservation of democratic principles within our party.
Dr. Lakunle claims that "the delegates and the party have spoken." We challenge him to answer a simple question: what exactly did the delegates say?
If the delegates truly spoke through a transparent and credible process, why are party members across Oyo North still expressing outrage? Why are stakeholders questioning the outcome? Why has the result failed to inspire the confidence that ordinarily follows a free and fair contest?
The answer is obvious.
The issue before us is not acceptance of defeat. The issue is acceptance of injustice.
It is both ironic and disappointing that those who benefited from a disputed process are now preaching democracy, discipline, and party supremacy. Democracy is not merely about announcing a winner. Democracy is about ensuring that the winner genuinely reflects the choice of the majority.
A crown obtained through controversy can never command the same respect as one earned through a transparent mandate.
Those urging us to "move on" should understand that party members are not protesting because of personalities. They are protesting because they fear for the future of a party where predetermined outcomes appear to matter more than the wishes of delegates and grassroots members.
The greatest threat to APC is not those demanding accountability. The greatest threat is the growing culture of asking members to remain silent whenever questions arise about fairness.
History teaches us that political parties do not collapse because people speak up. They collapse when leaders refuse to listen.
We reject every attempt to portray legitimate concerns as bitterness. We reject every attempt to equate silence with loyalty. We reject every attempt to redefine injustice as party unity.
Unity imposed through intimidation is not unity.
Unity demanded without accountability is not unity.
Unity built on unresolved grievances is not unity.
It is political deception.
Colonel Gbenga Adegbola has earned the respect of many through decades of service, sacrifice, and commitment to the progressive cause. His supporters and numerous party faithful across Oyo North will not abandon the principles of fairness and transparency simply because doing so is politically convenient for a few individuals.
If APC must remain strong in Oyo North, then truth must come before propaganda, justice before convenience, and democracy before personal interests.
We remain committed to the party. We remain committed to victory. But our commitment to APC cannot require us to surrender our commitment to fairness.
Those who genuinely seek reconciliation should stop demanding unquestioning acceptance and start addressing the concerns that gave rise to this controversy in the first place.
The future of our party depends not on how quickly people are forced to move on, but on how courageously we confront the issues before us.
Justice first. Unity afterwards.
Adegbola Frontier
