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By Vera Wisdom-Bassey
Former ward chairman and cabinet member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Gboyega Salvador-Adebayo, has called on party leaders to take urgent steps to ameliorate the suffering of grassroots members and ordinary Nigerians.
Adebayo, who also serves as Chairman of the Wharf Landing Fees Collecting Authority (WLFCA), made the call during a combined family thanksgiving, New Year celebration and birthday ceremony in Lagos.
Addressing party members and guests, he lamented that many loyal APC members at the ward level were struggling without tangible benefits from the party they serve. According to him, party leadership must intentionally support grassroots members through inclusive policies and direct engagement.
“Party members are suffering. A lot of them are not benefiting,” he said. “The little we can do is to ensure that ordinary members get some form of appreciation for their efforts. It may be small, but it shows that they matter.”
Drawing from his experience as a former ward chairman and party leader, he said he understands the realities faced by grassroots members and the depth of poverty affecting many communities. He stressed that leaders should make conscious efforts to ease the burden on their supporters.
He also explained his decision to continue living among his people rather than relocating to Lekki, despite being allocated a house during his time in office. “My nomination and political base are here. Why should I run away from the people who voted for me?” he asked. “If there is money, we spend it together. If it finishes, we argue together. But, they know I am always with them.”
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Adebayo emphasised the importance of accessibility and visibility of leaders at the grassroots. “Let the people see you. Mix with them. Let them feel that you understand their pain,” he said. “Whatever little opportunity or blessing we have, let us share it together.”
He further noted that local governments receive sufficient funds that if properly managed, could significantly reduce hardship at the grassroots. However, he criticised poor fund management, observing that some officials fall into financial difficulty shortly after leaving office due to mismanagement while in power.
Calling for a re-engineering of the party structure, he said APC leaders must reconnect with the people and better understand their needs. “You have elected officials who don’t know what the people want and are making decisions based only on their personal judgment,” he said.
He also highlighted growing discontent among party members, noting that some are unwilling to register or participate actively unless financially induced. According to him, such attitudes reflect dissatisfaction with how members are treated. “If you have to induce someone to join your party, how will you expect loyalty and commitment?” he asked, urging members to attend meetings and engage in party activities to influence decision-making.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Ojokoro Local Government, Hon. Barr. Rosiji Oluyemisi Adejoke, advised the celebrant to continue adding value to humanity. She praised Adebayo for his service and prayed for more grace and strength for him.
She also explained the rationale behind the APC’s ongoing e-registration exercise, describing it as a strategy to strengthen internal identification and party structure. According to her, the process requires valid voter’s cards and National Identification Numbers (NIN) to ensure credibility and accountability.
Other speakers, including Hon. Olatunji Adeoye, commended Adebayo as a man of honour and a leader who listens to the people. They encouraged young people to emulate his character and commitment to service as they prepare for future leadership roles.
