2019: Fresh crisis looms in Oyo PDP over choice of guber candidate

A fresh crisis similar to what led to the downfall of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State in 2015 may be brewing over the
decision by some chieftains of the party in Oyo South Senatorial
District to allegedly endorse one of the gubernatorial aspirants of
the party, Engr Seyi Makinde as the party's flag bearer for the 2019
elections.

The decision to endorse Makinde as the sole candidate of the party in
next year's elections was said to have been taken at a meeting held at
the party's secretariat, Molete in Ibadan, the state capital.

The motion to adopt Makinde was said to have been moved by former
Chairman of Ibadan North West local government, Hon. Remi Ayodele, who
represented Ibadan zone, and Hon. Moses Ojoawo who represented
chieftains from Ibarapa zone, who said they were mandated by their
constituencies to table the motion.

Those who were said to be present at the meeting include: Professor
Taoheed Adedoja, Alhaja Bose Adedibu, PDP Senatorial Chairman, Sir
Samuel Olawuwo and Secretary of the party, Hon. Wasiu Adeleke.

But, PDP spokesman, Mr Lukman Agboluaje, while reacting, however
described the said endorsement as a charade and a huge joke.

Agboluaje added that the said endorsement does not follow due process.

He said such decision cannot be taken when some stalwarts of the party
among whom were former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Azeem Gbolarumi,
Barrister Lana, Hon. Muraina Ajibola, Senator Kamorudeen Adedibu and
other prominent leaders from the district were absent.

Agbokuaje, in a statement obtained by DAILY POST on Thursday, said,
"This is a charade as it did not follow even the minimum condition of
due process of arriving at a candidate as critical and genuine
stakeholders from the senatorial district were deliberately sidelined.

"Even some of the leaders that were present were not privy to the
meeting's agenda as none was made available to them prior to this
impromptu arrangement. For example, a gubernatorial aspirant, Engineer
Femi Babalola who was reportedly lured to the meeting was amazed at
the turn of event.

"We want to make it categorically clear that the Oyo State PDP
gubernatorial ticket is not for sale. We are also using this medium to
appraise our members that we have a rebranded P.D.P which has departed
from its shameful past where leaders sold the destiny of their
followers for a mess of porridge. Those who still cling to the past
are reminded that the political terrain has changed.

"When the time comes the choice of the party flag bearer shall follow
due process in accordance to its constitution and electoral
guidelines.

"We are therefore appealing to our loyal party members to remain calm
and await the directives of genuine organs and leaders of the party
that are constitutionally saddled with this responsibility."