Oyo PDP leaders want Ladoja, Alao-Akala, others back in party

Ladoja

Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State have posited that for the party to return to its winning ways, it must reintegrate those who left in the wake of the crisis rocking it.
These include former governors of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala and Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the last governorship election in the state, Mr Seyi Makinde They also expressed concern over the choice of Uche Secondus as acting national chairman of the party, stressing that “people with questionable character should not be allowed to hold positions within the party.

These were part of the recommendations of the party’s chieftains under the aegis of Oyo State PDP Leaders of Like Minds presented to the Emeka Ihedioha-led Post-Election Review sub-committee in Ibadan.
Those who signed the nine-page memorandum presented before the former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives included Dr Saka Balogun, Senator Ayo Adeseun, Chief Jumoke Akinjide, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Professor Soji Adejumo, Femi Babalola, Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha, Alhaji Bisi Olopoenia and eight others.
The leaders maintained that the hijack of the party structure and consequent imposition of unpopular candidates with the support of some members of the National Working Committee forced Ladoja,

Alao Akala

Alao-Akala, Makinde and others out of the party and led to its dismal performance at the polls.
“The party should imbibe the culture of transparent internal democracy in all its dealings. If we want to regain our lost glory, conscious and concerted efforts should be made to bring back into our fold, all willing members of Accord, Labour Party and SDP.
“Since primary election did not actually hold in Oyo State, all monies collected from aspirants should be refunded by the party and it should strictly adhere to its guidelines on how delegates and party executives are to emerge. “The PDP has a structure in place to resolve crisis that might emanate in the party.
However, the operators of the structure did not imbibe the spirit of equity, justice and fair play in handling disputes. “More often than not, cases were determined in favour of the highest bidders and people with links with the National Working Committee members.
The template adopted by the Presidency to harmonise the camps of Musiliu Obanikoro, Chief Bode George and Jimi Agbaje was not replicated in Oyo State…” they said.
Meanwhile, a group of protesters under the aegis of new PDP stormed the venue of the meeting to demand for an all-inclusive party executive in Oyo State. The protesters, led by Akinwumi Akinfenwa called for an all-inclusive PDP in the state to enable the party recover every inch of lost ground in 2019.

(c) The Guardian