Kuso: Offer Me Anything, I Won’t Abandon Ibarapa East Chairmanship Race
• I’m staying in APM, chairmanship ambition non-negotiable — Kuso
Fresh tension is brewing within the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibarapa East as chairmanship hopeful, Hon. Abdul Akeem Akintola Kuso, has declared that no amount of pressure, inducement or political offer will make him abandon his ambition.
Kuso made the declaration while addressing party members and supporters from the 10 wards of Ibarapa East at the Islamic High School, Eruwa.
The gathering came against the backdrop of controversy surrounding the party’s chairmanship ticket, with supporters accusing some political actors of attempting to sideline Kuso despite what they described as strong grassroots support for his candidacy.
Speaking before the gathering, Kuso disclosed that he recently attended an emergency meeting in Ibadan involving several prominent leaders from Ibarapa East.
He alleged that the meeting was convened partly to persuade him to withdraw from the chairmanship race.
According to him, he was presented with various offers, including gifts and alternative political positions, in an apparent attempt to get him to abandon his ambition.
Kuso, however, said he rejected the offers, insisting that the chairmanship of Ibarapa East was the only position he was pursuing.
He said he could not exchange the trust of the people for personal benefits, adding that his ambition was driven by a desire to improve the lives of residents across the local government.
The aspirant also alleged that the meeting became heated, resulting in an altercation with Wale Alase, whom he accused of repeatedly frustrating his political aspiration.
Despite the development, Kuso said he remained resolute.
He categorically ruled out defection from the APM, stressing that he would remain within the party and continue to seek its mandate.
“I am not leaving APM,” he declared, as supporters responded with chants of solidarity.
Kuso further narrated his encounter with the Eleruwa of Eruwa, HRM Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola, after the monarch reportedly received information that his supporters were planning a protest.
He said he met with the monarch and denied the allegation, explaining that no such plan was being organised by him or his supporters.
According to Kuso, when the monarch asked what he wanted, he gave a direct answer: the chairmanship of Ibarapa East.
At the gathering, supporters from across the 10 wards also made their position known, declaring that they would continue to stand behind Kuso.
The crowd repeatedly echoed “Kuso or nobody else,” while speakers called on the APM leadership to respect the wishes of the grassroots.
They accused a few political actors of attempting to dominate the affairs of the local government and urged the party to allow members to determine their preferred candidate.
Kuso, however, appealed for restraint, urging his supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
He said the struggle would be pursued through democratic means, insisting that his resolve to seek the APM chairmanship ticket remained unshaken.
With the controversy over the ticket yet to disappear, the latest declaration has raised the political stakes in Ibarapa East and placed renewed focus on the decision of the APM leadership.