Mr. Bashorun Omotayo Oluwasegun Shedrack (Picture from his Facebook)

Paris, France - On September 22, 2023, an ASA WA event commemorating Yoruba culture took an unexpected turn when drama erupted during the address of All Progressive Congress (APC) Chairlady, Hon. Hajiya Aminat Suzuki. According the to her narratives Her address, which emphasized on the importance of cultural values in supporting Nigerian culture, education, and celebration, held the audience captivated until a strange silence encompassed the event hall. 

The Chairlady herself seemed confused only to realize that the microphone had been switched off..!

She futher explained that as the sound engineer swiftly resolved the technical glitch and restored the microphone, Hon. Hajiya Aminat Suzuki attempted to resume her speech. However, to her astonishment, the microphone was again silenced. It became evident that something more than technical issues was at play. Some of the event attendess and the royal figures in attendance, quickly identified a disruptive individual named Bashorun Omotayo Oluwasegun Shedrack, a resident of Paris, France. Shedrack was intentionally disconnecting the microphone, screaming at the chairlady disrespectfully, agressively  and causing commotion at the event. Although his motives remained unclear till this moment.

The revelation that Bashorun Omotayo Oluwasegun Shedrack was the former General Secretary of the France All Progressive Congress Chapter during the previous administration under the leadership of Chief Mohammed Suheed Olanrewaju Balogun Otunba Maiyegun added a layer of complexity to the incident. 

It was disclosed that Shedrack had a history of confrontations within the party. Prior to the newly elected APC France Executive election, he had openly criticized the former Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, France Chapter, on various platforms. These public disputes had led to his suspension from the party, and he was still serving that suspension at the time of the ASA WA event.

The motive behind Shedrack's disruption of the event remained a subject of speculation, but some attendees suggested that it might have been driven by lingering political grievances. Regardless of the reasons, his actions momentarily disrupted an otherwise harmonious celebration of Yoruba culture and traditions.

Bashorun Omotayo Oluwasegun Shedrack's history of violating the party constitution and creating divisions within the peaceful running of the party was a matter of deep concern for many within the All Progressive Congress (APC) France Chapter. His actions, including spreading false information about the past chairman, had disrupted the party's unity and progress. The question that hung in the air was;

"Till when will it continue?" Some of the attendees of the ASA WA event also said they were left pondering what to expect from someone whose actions had consistently contradicted the principles and values of the APC association France.

A growing sentiment among event attendees was that decisive action needed to be taken. Many suggested that Bashorun Omotayo Oluwasegun Shedrack should face suspension from all party activities, both locally and internationally. This suggestion aimed not only to protect the party's integrity but also to send a clear message that actions detrimental to the party's unity and reputation would not be tolerated.

In Her conclusion  "Hajiya Aminat SUZUKI", as the event concluded and attendees returned to celebrating their rich cultural heritage, they remained hopeful that the party leadership would address this issue promptly and effectively, ensuring that the APC could continue to thrive and serve the interests of its members.

It was said that, In the aftermath of the incident, the event organizers and attendees expressed their commitment to fostering unity and cultural preservation within the Nigerian community in France, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue and peaceful coexistence. The ASA WA event ultimately continued with renewed enthusiasm, reinforcing the resilience of the community in the face of unexpected challenges.

Despite this unexpected disruption, the spirit of ASA WA prevailed as the event continued, with attendees returning to the celebration of Yoruba culture, tradition, and language. The incident served as a reminder that cultural gatherings can sometimes evoke strong emotions and opinions, but the collective determination to honor and preserve heritage ultimately triumphed.