ANTP update: Ashaolu against peace moves —Jimoh Aliu, I won’t respond in papers —Ashaolu

Recent peace moves made by a former president of the Association of National Theatre Practitioners (ANTP), Alhaji Jimoh Aliu, following the intervention of the Olowu of Owu, Oba (Dr) Olusanya Adegboyega Dosumu, Awororo II,   three weeks ago, has been rebuffed by Comrade Victor Ashaolu, President of ANTP, and his followers.
According to Aliu, peace meetings had been held in Lagos, Ibadan, Abeokuta and Osogbo, but with some hitches, especially the ones held in Lagos, Ibadan and Osogbo that were allegedly  disrupted by embattled Ashaolu and some of his followers. Ashaolu had reportedly written letters to security authorities in these cities, asking that they prevent the
meeting from holding at the afore-mentioned state chapters, but the meetings eventually took place.
“We thank God that the peace meetings were eventually held despite the uncalled for development”, Aliu told R on Thursday. “Our aim is to restore peace and move the association forward and we will not relent in our effort to achieve this. The turn up of members was impressive. We are convinced that the association will experience total peace,” he added.
The peace move, however, is not restricted to only ANTP as olive branch has been extended to the aggrieved members who left ANTP to form a new association called TAMPPAN. Members of both bodies had met with the Olowu of Owu at different times and both parties would meet with the Oba again soon. “Our interest is to restore peace, as well as see ourselves as one. Personally, I can’t wait for peace to reign amongst us and settle all differences.”
Reacting to the disruption allegation, Ashaolu said he was not ready to respond to any allegation in the pages of the newspaper, but quickly added that “any aggrieved member should go to court to express his or her feelings”.
He stated further; “I still remain the president of the association until 2018 according to the resolution of the last delegate conference of the association. I am not interested in engaging anyone about the matter of the association in the dailies.”