Southwest PDP Prays For True Reconciliation

Since after the year 2007 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the South-west region has been embroiled in crises that have cost it electoral successes in the zone; its performance at the 2011 elections in the region was dismal.

Its state chapters in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti and Ondo have had their own fair share of crises following the inability of the leaders to put their houses in order.

Though, there have been concerted efforts in the past to reconcile various factions of the party across the region, such efforts have proved abortive because party bigwigs, owing to ego, have failed to sheathe their swords in the overall interest of the party.

Factors responsible for the crises included an absence of internal democracy, imposition of candidates and non-inclusion of preferred persons to occupy political offices.

The previous Southwest executive led by Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo could not reconcile the various factions. Even in spite of his huge influence, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, could also not do much in this regard.

Obasanjo, whose recent resignation as the Board of Trustees, BoT, chairman of the PDP, jolted the party especially in the Southwest, was alleged to have collaborated with former PDP governors to instal their cronies at the helm of affairs of the party.

Thus, the newly elected PDP National Vice Chairman, Southwest, Engr Segun Oni, a former governor of Ekiti State has a tough task on his hands.

Though, the former governor has begun efforts to reconcile the warring factions and aggrieved members to avoid dismal performance at the next polls, some of the state chapters are still enmeshed in crises.

In Oni’s home state of Ekiti, the state chapter remains factionalised with two bigwigs laying claim to the chairmanship seat.

In Ondo State, the story remains the same as party members express displeasure over the outcome of the primaries recently conducted.

There seems to be no end to the crisis rocking the party in Ondo State as a factional chairman, Dr. Akin Olowookere, threatened to go to court over the state’s congress.

Olowookere, who alleged that the party was being run by a few individuals, was of the view that his group would not allow the party to be turned into a one-man show.

In Oyo State, a former governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, has been at loggerheads with the likes of Senator Lekan Balogun, Elder Wole Oyelese and others over the control of the party’s machinery.

The crisis also took a new twist as the former deputy governor, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja, moved against his former boss, to inaugurate a new state executive.

Arapaja had said that, “PDP is for all. Nobody will be allowed to dictate things again. That is what led us here. Some of us still have integrity. Last year, we had power, money (in fact, people were calling us ATM) but we did not listen. We need to work together. We will continue to tell them.”

While in Lagos State, Chief Olabode George, former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe and former High Commissioner to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro among others have sunk their differences for the betterment of the party.

—Yisa Jamiu