By Sulyman Pakoyi

The leadership crisis rocking the Ondo State Carpenter and Furniture Makers Progressive Union has been resolved as an Akure High Court dismissed the case against the election of Comrade Adekunle Obolo and other executive members of the union.

Five elders of the union had filed a lawsuit at the State High Court, Akure Judicial Division, asking the court to declare the executive members’ positions illegal.

According to the elders, the election that brought the executives to office was null and void.

The plaintiffs, Elder Sunday Ajayi, Elder Rufus Oladapo, Elder Aisida Matthew, Elder Folorunsho Ojo, and Elder Sola Okesola, claimed they had the authority to oversee the union’s activities, including elections, as the Board of Elders/Patrons under the union’s constitution.

They argued that the election of Comrade Obolo and his team was conducted without their approval.

However, delivering judgment, Justice (Prof.) Alero E. Akeredolu declared that the union’s 2022 amended constitution, which was used to conduct Obolo’s re-election, remains valid and binding.

The judge, while striking out the case, maintained that the defendants had not violated any law under the 2022 amended constitution.

“With regard to reliefs (D)–(1), these reliefs were sought based on the claimants’ understanding and claims that they were the supreme organ of the union, which was the position under the 2015 constitution but not so under the 2022 amended constitution.

Having held that the valid constitution is the 2022 amended constitution, these reliefs have no foundation to support them and must also fail,” Justice Akeredolu ruled.

In his post-victory message, the union chairman, Comrade Obolo, extended a hand of fellowship to the rival faction of union members.

He, however, raised the alarm over alleged plans by rival faction members to disrupt the union’s operations, including an alleged plot to attack the union’s head office to undermine his administration.

“We have received credible information about plans to destabilise the union,” Obolo said.

He also used the occasion to congratulate the State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on his victory in the November 16 governorship election.

Describing Governor Aiyedatiwa’s landslide victory as a confirmation of his acceptability by the people of Ondo State, Obolo pledged the total support of his union members to the Governor in further boosting the state’s economy.