Breaking: Rinsola Abiola Quits APC

By Ridwan Balogun
August 31, 2018

Late M.K.O Abiola’s daughter and the Special Assistant on New Media to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rinsola Abiola has quit the APC.

Abiola was the President, All Progressives Congress Young Women Forum (APC-YWF) and was also a youth representative on the APC Board of Trustees.

In a statement made explaining her reasons for quitting the party, Rinsola said the constraints limiting the reach of youth in the party is something she can’t contend with again. She revealed she made a series of consultation after the passage of the Not Too Young To Run Bill but was not convinced with the responses she got.

She said;

“Your Excellencies,

My leaders, mentors, colleagues and friends,

I write to formally communicate my decision to relinquish membership of the All Progressives Congress. This has been a five-year journey during which I have met some very exceptional people and learned from you all.

Last year, while we – youth advocates and those of us in political parties who fall within the youth demography – were advocating for passage of the Not Too Young To Run Bill, I approached a handful of our leaders and expressed my intention to run for office if the Bill scales through. Thankfully, this year, Not Too Young To Run became law and young people (from 25) can now seek to occupy elective positions.

I began consultations in October 2017 but have now concluded that while legal constraints may have been done away with, there are greater challenges that we all must contend with. Apart from the usual issues like funding and violence, undemocratic dictates which are now (erroneously) viewed as the norm also pose a serious challenge. I have been told in no unclear terms that I “must not run”, that I “should not even consider it”, and that there are “consequences for disobedience”.

I believe strongly that such things should not be tolerated in a democracy which many people fought for, with some of our heroes – my father inclusive – losing their lives in the process. I also believe that if those who fought for this democracy had listened to such veiled threats or even thought about the consequences that they might face, civil rule would not have been restored when it was.

In 2013, I left youth activism for mainstream politics because I believed governance was a more efficient vehicle for bringing about change; there was nothing that I wanted more than to be part of the process of making this country work again and contributing my quota to national development. I believed – and still do – that there’s only so much that one can do to elevate the living conditions of one’s people as an individual, and that occupying a position with the backing of the Constitution gives a lot more power to change lives and in much greater numbers.

I have always advocated for enhanced youth and women participation in politics; this is why I believe that simply accepting this situation or making peace with what can only be described as tyranny and injustice as some have advised me to, would make me both dishonest to myself and untrue to everything I’ve ever advocated for.

I want to thank you all sincerely for everything you have done to help me grow and I hope that our relationship remains cordial irrespective of political leanings. I remain committed to the ideals which led me to join politics, and will join another party once I’m convinced that inclusion for youths and women is an issue they prioritise and that internal democracy truly matters.

I certainly do not have it all figured out yet, but the conviction that led me to join APC now demands that I stand and fight not just for myself, but also for other women and young people in similar circumstances. Mine is a grossly underrepresented demography and injustice, in all its forms and irrespective of who perpetrates it, must be resisted. The decision of who gets to represent us is one that should be made by the people and it is not up to any individual, no matter how highly placed, to tell me that I must not even try.

I thank you for your support so far and would perfectly understand if things have to be different going forward due to political differences.

With gratitude and utmost respect.”

post=70846163:
A good choice by her as she deem fit!
Let us all learn to Respect everyone's opinion and view in life.
Goodluck Lady Abiola!
All the best for the future.

Neyoor:







If you could hold those two key posts while serving as an ordinary aide to Hon Dogara on new media, it just a clear indication that you could earn more. Rinsola is a greedy lady so hungry and thirsty for power at all cost. She wants an elective post at all cost In the party even when her loyalty to the party still remains so unclear.

If Hadiza Bala Usman had started like this, she won't be the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority today.


Go and learn how to thread softly Rinsola and work more on your ego.

God bless you, your father is having the name already but you want to start running beyond your shadow, which may eventually ruin you.


Thread softly Rinsola, the grass is not always greener on the other side.

12345baba:
if na PDP now u will start abusing and bad mouthing the party. Now its APC ur respecting ones decision. Grilled brains

Caseless:
she talks too much, and that would work against her.

This is why OBJ didn't pick Donald duke as running- mate to yaradua in 2007.

kindnyce:
Who's she , please?

SEONaijaExpert:
We don't have to be sentimental about defection. In politics, people come and go.

There are always people ahead of you, if you think your personality is that strong to beat them and win at the primaries, there should be nothing to fear.

She can join the new parties just finding their structure.

jaxxy:



Didn’t u read where she said she was told not to even try or attempt it.

The problem with our political parties is that they are so rigidly structured and most of the people in it are barely educated beside a few greedy backward thinking educated ones. They don’t understand the times and are insensitive to newer and better ways of doing things whilst they are yet doing a terrible job. I hear sm of their statements and I laugh like the dsp.

The truth is if the youths must takeover in politics we need to position ourselves in the right places and parties and that mostly likely put us up against the mundane system politicians. Just like French President Emmamuel macron had to leave and start his own party to win against all odds.

Intelligent and truly progressive minds need to Unite and work together under a new party or like minded party to forge this goal. Only few of these old cargoes have anything good to offer to be honest and yet they won’t let u get ahead.

I’m in support of Abiola’s daughter becos she has leverage(her dads legacy) and not just that but also intelligent and There are many other youths with right values willing to change this country. that’s wat our youths need to take the mantle, nobody will give it to u on a platter of gold if that’s wat Ure waiting for.