Aide dumps Ladoja for Adedibu

By Akin Durodola and Jackson Udom - 27.12.2007

THERE appears to be cracks in the political camp of the former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, as one of his aides and a key member of his kitchen cabinet, Chief Bola Alphonso, has dumped him for Chief Lamidi Adedibu.

Chief Alphonso, together with Chief Adedibu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, visited the Ogbomoso residence of the state governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, on Tuesday to felicitate with him on Christmas festivities.

Chief Alphonso, former publicity secretary of the PDP in the state, according to party sources, had, before his visit to the Ogbomoso residence of Governor Alao-Akala on Tuesday, asked for forgiveness from Alhaji Adedibu, and pleaded with him to allow him to return to his political base.

It was learnt that Chief Adedibu made sure that the former security aide was accorded a rousing welcome back to the party with the instruction that all party chairmen and big wigs were there to formally present Alphonso to the governor in Ogbomoso.

Speaking with journalists on the return of the PDP chieftain, Governor Akala described him as a statesman who has the development of the state at heart.

“He is a statesman with the interest of the party and the state at heart. He wants the state to move forward and he is highly welcome back to the party.”

Reacting on the development on behalf of Senator Ladoja, the former Chief of Staff, Chief Sarafadeen Alli, said in a telephone interview with the Nigerian Tribune that “Alfonso is a dog that has gone back to his vomit. Since when has he spoken for Ladoja group? He is of no consequence to the group.”