Ahead of tomorrow’s meeting with the Executive Governor of Oyo State, party leaders in Ibadan North Local Government met with the Stakeholders and aspirants in the forthcoming General Election into the Oyo State House of Assembly.
You will recall, the Engr. Seyi Makinde met with some party leaders last Friday and informed them of his intention to present party tickets for National Assembly and State House of Assembly. Oduduwanews learnt that the Governor I structed the leaders of the 33 local governments in the State to meet with their people and present consensus candidates for a meeting scheduled for tomorrow 4th of April, 2022.
In the meeting attended yesterday, 2nd of April by leaders and stakeholders of Ibadan North, it was agreed that Ibadan North State House of Assembly Constituency 1&2 will conduct primary election and will not be going by consensus candidates same to National Assembly .
In attendance at the meeting were the Local Government Party Chairman, State Party Youth Leader, Women leader, Youth leader, LG party Secretary, all Local Government Party leaders in the local government, stakeholders and all aspirantsâĶâĶ.
Oduduwanews learnt that agreement document was signed by all aspirants which authenticates their decision that primary election should be conducted as against the wish of the Governor to present a consensus candidate.
Eventually, the much-touted PDP convention has come and gone. The convention; amidst court case instituted by the erstwhile national chairman of the party, Prince Secondus, began on October 30th and ended on 31st of same month.
The convention was at the instance of the election and ratification of National Executive Council officials. The National Executive Committee is the body saddled with the responsibility of running the affairs of the party. The body is crucial to the presidential primary of the party.
The issue of who controls the party machinery is not a child’s play. The fierceness that is associated with the exercise is understandable because the convention is a battle ground to test wits, popularity and relevance. Thus, the unending maneuvering and nocturnal meetings.
There are power blocs in every party. Meanwhile, the most vocal bloc is the governors’ forum. Senators’ forum and others are not as powerful as the committee of state governors.
Political parties get funds from elected officers in form of levies, donations from wealthy political bigwigs and gratifications from manufacturing cum construction companies. The list is endless. However, the bulk of the fund comes from the governors. Thus, their over-bearing influence. As long as the governors remain the major financiers of a political party, the control of the structure would reside in them. He who pays the Piper, dictates the tune.
The victories of both Dr. Ayu as national chairman and Taofeek Arapaja as Deputy Chairman South are products of secret cult – like relationship amongst the governors. Dr. Iyorchia Ayu is a known figure in the party. He was once a senate president in Nigeria. Ayu was the candidate of his state governor, Ortom while Taofeek Arapaja, who himself was once a deputy governor to Alao Akala of Oyo state was the annointed candidate of governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state.
It was reported that two hours before voting, Atiku, Saraki and Lamido shrugged off their big men status as they made their way to state pavilions housing delegates to lure delegates in support for Oyinlola. The deft move was meant to neutralize the influence of the governors. However, the move turned out an exercise in futility as Arapaja polled a whooping total of 2,004 votes to beat Oyinlola’s meagre votes of 705 .
The defeat of former governor of osun state, Oyinlola by Taofeek Arapaja was as a result of his closeness to Obasanjo. The governors of the party are obviously not pleased with any retired general dictating the pace in the party again. Whatever respect they hitherto had for them; especially OBJ, may have vanished due to the manner with which the former president disgraced the party when he tore his membership ID card in the full glare of the world. The action of Obasanjo was a misnormer. It was least expected of a personality like him. Obasanjo should not have torn the identity card in the public. One expected somebody like him to be able to control his adrenaline. Adrenal gland controls anger. Anger lacks timidity.
The action of Obasanjo was in the governors’ blast radius. It drew the ire of the governors and that was why his influence was laid to waste. Oyinlola was also a former governor but his intimacy with Obasanjo was his albatross. That he once ditched the party for APC was another stroke in the camel’s back.
One noticeable development within the party is the uncommon love now existing within the rank and file of PDP governors. For the first time in the history of the party, the governors now speak with one voice. The unanimity in the decisions taken so far; from the ouster of Uche Seconds to the convention is a testament to the mutual trust. Party positions were shared amongst the governors and were followed to the letter without much ado, legal tussle to stop the convention were unanimously confronted, the spirit of comraderie is waxing and regular communication within the party governors’ forum has improved. With this new-foumd love, it may be difficult for an “alien” to emerge as the party’s presidential election in 2023. The situation this time would be different from what transpired in the last convention where Alhaji Atiku stole the show despite the gang-up from some Rivers State governor, Wike. Governor Wike had threw his weight behind Governor Tambuwal of Sokoto with a reported caveat and a treaty that he would be picked as running mate.
Meanwhile, politics is not religion. Political trust is not wholesome. In politics, one needs to have a shock absorber. According to Asiwaju Tinubu; ” I have always prepared for disappointment”. This is wisdom. The interpretation of which is the non-existence of permanent friend or foe in politics. Former Oyo state governor, Senator Ladoja once gave an admonition that anything is possible in politics. No matter the vituperation and public criticism, politicians are always friends. Alhaji Atiku stood in as the groom’s father when Buhari’s son was wedding. The president was physically present. This is the politics of my dream. A political co-habitation where politicians could dine and wine together without suspicion. A situation where campaign would be issue-based. A situation where the atmosphere would be free from campaign of calumny and where political supporters would not fan embers of discord. Permit me to salute the courage of former governor Fayose on this aspect. It was only Fayose, outside APC, that went to visit Tinubu after his return from London medical treatment.
The administrative acumen of the convention planning committee chairman and Secretary are commendable. The duo of Governors Fintiri of Adamawa and Engineer Seyi Makinde of Oyo state did a yeoman’s job. They deserve a credit.
Now that the convention is over, two crucial issues await PDP. The threat by Secondus to approach supreme Court and the battle to pick 2023 presidential aspirants from the likes of the perennial presidential hopeful Atiku, Tambuwal and Saraki. Coincidentally, the trio were at the forefront in the last presidential primary convention.
All the same, the earlier the party mends fences, the more potent their opposition to APC come 2023.
Comrade Lekan Badmus is a columnist with Oduduwa News.
The Executive Chairman of Oorelope Local Government, Hon. Akeem Raheem on Saturday commended the leadership of the ongoing People’s Democratic Party National Convention holding at Abuja for holding up to the tenet of True Democracy.
The Chairman, in a statement while reacting to the manner and conduct in which the Convention is going said that People’s Democratic Party is the only party in Nigeria who abides with the principle of democracy.
“I must commend the leadership of PDP National Convention under the leadership of Gov. Fintiri as Chairman, and my own boss and leader, Gov. Seyi Makinde as secretary, for the good job they are doing in ensuring that they give Nigerians the best. It should be on note, that our Party is the only Party holding the principle of True Democracy and this is evident in the peaceful and we’ll coordinated manner the Convention is going, with this conduct, I’m convinced that our Party will take back the leadership of Nigeria come 2023, and rescue the Nation collapsing”
The Chairman also wishes Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja well, and pray that he succeed as the National Deputy Chairman (South) of the party.
“My prayers, and thought, including those of the good people of Oorelope are we with our leader, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, and we pray that he comes out in victory, we believe in his leadership, and know that he will perform excellently well as the Deputy National Chairman of our Party”
The most popular Oyo State Political team,(Team 4+4) for governor Seyi Makinde second term has declared it unwavering support for Ambassador TAOFEEK OLADEJO ARAPAJA as he joined the race to become the Deputy National Chairman Of People Democratic Party (PDP).
Ambassador TAOFEEK OLADEJO ARAPAJA who emerged as the Chairman South West PDP some months ago has relinquished the position to contest as the Deputy National Chairman in the coming National Congress of PDP which will come up on 30th-31st of Oct. 2021 in Abuja.
Team 4+4 while speaking with journalist, described Amb. Taofeek Arapaja as a man with ocean of intelligent,and a man who is embedded with a wide political experience, these reasons and others leadership role played successfully recently by him as southwest PDP chairman in uniting our party (PDP) nationally,made us(team 4+4) to give undaunted support for him to run as PDP deputy National chairman, so he can use his wealth of experience to bring more unity to the party which we believed will bring victory for the party atlarge in the forthcoming general election.
The team stated further that Amb. Taofeek Oladejo Arapaja vast knowledge of the party cannot be limited to the Southwest alone but can be Utilized at the National level because of his zeal and readiness for team work with others executives to attain the seat of Power at federal level come 2023.
Knowing well that Ambassador TAOFEEK OLADEJO ARAPAJA as Southwest Chairman controls six(6) States of the southwest and within short time in office he has touched and tour round the states for settlement so as to achieve undefittable structure ahead 2023 general election,we believe if he win again as PDP Deputy National Chairman in the coming National congress,the party victory in 2023 general election is ðŊ certain.
As a progressive political team for Seyi Makinde 4+4 agenda (team 4+4) under the leadership of Hon.Gbenga Adewusi Ayinde a.k.a Arole we wish Amb.Taofeek Oladejo Arapaja a brilliant success ahead.
Signed: Team 4+4 Led by Hon. OLUGBENGA AYINDE ADEWUSI AROLE (CHAIRMAN OYO STATE SPORTS COUNCIL).
âĶwe are making progress in dealing with insecurity ~Gov
âĶ âgovt’ll continue to collaborate with federal establishmentsâ
Members of the National Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Oyo State, on Monday, passed a vote of confidence in Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, praising him for the unprecedented achievements of the government in the last two years. They equally commended the efforts of the government in tackling the wave of insecurity in the state. The senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Senator Kola Balogun, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues during a courtesy call to the governor in his office, said that the visit was meant to congratulate the governor on his tremendous achievements in the last two years in the state. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the senator as saying: âYour Excellency, on behalf of my colleagues from the National Assembly, we have come to officially pay this courtesy call, and to use the occasion to congratulate you on your tremendous achievements in the last two years as the governor of this pacesetter state.” He explained that the present administration in Oyo State has moved the state forward in terms of performance ranking and surpassed the past administration in terms of regular payment of the salaries of the civil servants, teachers, pensioners as and when due; provision of instructional materials to schools and other infrastructural development in the state. âI have the mandate of my colleagues and brothers to let you know that we are aware of what you have been doing and to congratulate you for it. We know that before you came into office, in this state, pensioners and teachers were not being paid as and when due. Instructional materials were not given to schools. “So, with these efforts, you have been able to move Oyo State in terms of performance ranking, because we know that, going by the record, the last administration, in WAEC, was 26 or 28. That has improved a lot. “This is because of your commitment and passion for developing the education system in Oyo State. After all, education is the foundational bedrock of human development. So, we commend your efforts in that regard,” Balogun said. He added that the governor has been able to bridge the trust deficit between the people and the government, adding that Oyo State has turned to a sort of London where everywhere is lit, particularly the capital city. Balogun assured the governor that the people of Oyo State will continue to support his administration and that those of them at the National Assembly will equally continue to make the government proud by complementing the efforts of the state government. In his response, Governor Makinde explained that his administration is making progress everyday in dealing with insecurity in the state, saying that all hands must be on deck to secure lives and properties in the state. He maintained that his administration would continue to collaborate with the federal establishment to find a lasting solution to the insecurity in the state, urging the federal lawmakers not to be far away from their constituencies, adding that he is looking forward to interacting with the Oyo State Caucus of the National Assembly. He said: âI want to thank you, distinguished senator, and honorable members of the House of Representatives, for this visit. Next time, come with your APC colleagues so that we can share our thoughts also with them. We can share some of the things we are doing with them so that we can reduce the amount of misinformation going on. âYes, you all belong to the PDP but I always say that players will come and go but our state will remain. âI especially want to thank you because it is not about party affiliation. But in terms of providing that bridge between the state government and the federal establishment, you have done very well. It is only PDP senators and House of Representatives members that I know are doing things to bridge that gap. âYou have the interest of our people at heart and I want to commend you and urge you to continue in that direction. For me, we will continue to provide the environment for our state to thrive. We will continue to cooperate and collaborate with the federal establishments. âThe issue that I know is a little bit touching is on security. I said last week that, even if you want to rule Oyo State in 2023, you donât destroy the state you want to rule. It is very similar to somebody wanting to draw water from a well to drink and decided to, first of all, pollute the well. By the time you draw out the water, you are going to be drinking polluted water. “So, we should not destroy our state.” Governor Makinde, who maintained that his government has been doing a lot to attract investments into the state, said: âWe are doing a lot to attract investments into our state, expand our economy and we know that investments are cowards as they will only go to where they feel secure. “So, if you are going out there to say our state is not secure; if you are telling the truth, we donât have any problem with that. But when you go out there to blatantly peddle lies or you even go to the extent of doctoring videos to show the world that your state is not secure, you are damaging the state. Say things as they are, come to us to ask questions if things are not clear. âWe are dealing with the issue of insecurity in Oyo State and we are making progress. I can say that with all sense of seriousness and responsibility. And I want to plead with you, I may go out and take responsibility for the security situation in the state but the truth is we all have to take collective responsibility. “We all have to play our own part – distinguished senator and honorable members, traditional rulers, the Mogajis, local vigilantes, voluntary policing sector, town unions and the rest – must play our part to secure our state. We donât want to keep passing the buck and that is why I always claim responsibility. It is not because I am super-human but because I donât want buck-passing. I want to be held accountable. âWe have to share the responsibility and that is the only time that we can beat our chest that the issue of insecurity in the state will be a thing of the past. âWhen we came in, we strengthened all the things we met on the ground. We bought patrol vehicles for the SRS, Operation Burst, and others. There is no federal security agency that operates in the state that we have not done one thing or the other for them to be more effective. âSo, we are ready to cooperate with the federal agencies. And as you are there in Abuja as our representatives, please do more with the federal establishments. “We may be in opposition to the party in power at the federal level but we are not out to politicise the issue of insecurity. “We are ready to find a lasting solution to this problem. So, we are partners in progress.” The governor, who stated that Nigerians are already waiting for the PDP to retake power at the centre, appreciated the lawmakers including Senator Balogun; House of Representatives members representing Ibadan North-East/South- East, Hon. Abass Adigun Agboworin; Ibarapa East/Ido, Hon. Adewale Oluyemi Taiwo; Ibadan North-West/South-West, Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide.
