The former Commissioner for health in Ogun state, Dr Babatunde Ipaye and an ally of Sen Ibikunle Amosun has reunited with Gov Dapo Abiodun.
Dr Ipaye on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 penned an emotional statement, a copy which was obtained by Gateway Times Nigeria, announcing his decision with the Mr Governor politically family.
The statement reads:
IT IS TIME TO HEAL
The decision to pen this piece was well thought through as the echo of the evergreen response of the former Governor of Lagos, Babatunde Raji Fashola during the ministerial screen kept reverberating – “MAY YOUR LOYALTY NEVER BE TESTED”
My position in Ogun APC and the side I belonged was never in doubt. I took varying positions against Governor Dapo Abiodun’s government on our health system not because I was blindly loyal, I did because in my opinion, I had a more accurate position.
A full cycle of political process had just been concluded with the APC national convention. Winners have emerged, they need our support. The party and the government in Ogun need to build back better. It is time to heal and it is time for me to play my part once again.
For me, a loyal disciple does not abandon his principal during a storm. It was a collective decision, we faced the storm together and there is no doubt we fought a good battle for a course I felt was just.
Returning back to the APC political family we never TRULY left is to actualise the sacred commitment we made before going through the avoidable political quagmire of 2019.
Some of our people were so aggrieved that they decided to try their luck elsewhere, I do not have the capacity for such extreme ideological shift. I preferred to make peace with my egbon, Governor Dapo Abiodun and the family that gave me an opportunity to serve. He supported me in my moment sometimes in 2014 as mandated by Gov. Ibikunle Amosun. I should be bold to support him unconditionally too.
I know by this decision I may step on toes, please accept my heartfelt apologies and like I stated elsewhere – it is time to RECALIBRATE. A full cycle of loyalty was achieved in my humble perception ,I will always remain grateful to my boss and support his aspirations without hurting my own political constituency.
It is time to HEAL.
Dr. Babatunde Ipaye,
Fmr Hon. Commissioner for Health,
Ogun State
