A group in the Peoples Democratic Party from Oke-Ogun zone, PDP Oke-Ogun Agenda has raised eyebrows against the attempt of some cabals in governor Makinde’s government who are trying to manoeuver the governor to give out an order for a selection of candidates for forthcoming local government election in Oyo state, calls the NWC to intervene.
The group expressed displeasure over the move of the party hierarchies aiming for selection of party candidates for chairmanship and councilorship for May 15 local government election, claimed that, such action will not only deprived core party members their right but will also cause problem within the party.
In a statement released and signed by comrade Adetunji Raji, the coordinator of the group from Saki East local government, it was stated that, jeopardising the political opportunities of some party members by not giving them equal chances at the interest of none party members is an avenue to sell the party out.
The full statement reads:
Thou, it still a rumour, but we know some cabals in governor Seyi Makinde’s administration can go to any length to sell the interest of PDP members in as much such action, if done will pave way for them with our governor.
“Our group, PDP Oke-Ogun Agenda, was totally disappointed when we heard that, governor Makinde is weighing an option of ceding some local government chairmanship and councilorship positions for ADC and ZLP.
“We are imploring our governor not to allow some of his loyalists in government to tell him to do what the party members didn’t want. Going by way of neglecting party primaries and selecting candidates for primary election is totally against the party constitution and members wish.
“Conceding the right of party members to those that deserted the party when the going was though towards 2019 election is a sign that, our party doesn’t value loyalty.
“We will like to remind those who are concerned that, accord to PDP constitution, there is only consensus when all groups, individuals that obtained the nomination form agreed for a single candidate before primary election.
“Our party constitution never stipulate for imposition or selection of a candidate, according to Chapter 8, section 2e and 3 as amended
Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter IV of this Constitution, the National Executive Committees shall regulate the procedure for procedure for selecting the Party’s
candidates for elective offices in the follow manner prescribed below :
(e)
In the conduct of primaries for the Party’s candidate for member of Local Government Council Chairman and House of Assembly, the primaries shall be held at the Local Government Constituency headquarters;
(3)
Congress for the election of Ward Officers, Councillorship candidates and the 3 delegates to Local
Government Congress and State Congress, out of which at least one (1) shall be a woman, shall be by direct primaries in which all card carrying members of the Party
at Ward level shall participate* ;
Our questions are :
If our leaders decided to choose a candidate, what will be the fate of other aspirants who had obtained form through loans which entails interest, are they going to collect repayment with interest?
“Why is it now that after all the aspirants had gone through many processes even screening, our leaders are now thinking of selecting candidates?
“Do they know that, if only the party want to produce a consensus, an agreement might have reached between groups, individuals and leaders before obtaining nomination form.
“Will also like to ask those pinching governor Makinde to allow the party to go for selection if have a tangible reason for their submission.
Our conclusion, it is the right time our party chairman woke up to his responsibility because many of what is happening now are against the party constitution.
As it is saddened that our party chairman Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha, is not guided by the party constitution but directives from the state house and cabals, it is necessary for our party leaders in the state to notice all these abnormalities happening in our state party as disastrous as urgent attention is needed to help our state party chairman from being a figure head chairman.
We are calling the National Working Committee and Sen. Bukola Saraki led reconciliation committee to rescue the party from the hands of individual and cabals who don’t have a copy of the constitution but seeing themselves as party leaders in Oyo state.
