The Chairman of Oyo PDP Reconciliation Committee, Chief Saka Balogun has presented the outcome of the exercise to Governor Seyi Makinde and equally expatiated the grievances the stakeholders have with the Governor.
The report goes thus:
THE FINAL REPORT OF THE INTERACTIVE SESSIONS WITH PDP ELDERS STEERING COMMITTEE AND LEADERS AND SELECTED PARTY MEMBERS FROM ALL THE 33 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OF THE STATE
1.
PREAMBLE:
The PDP Elders Steering Committee submitted an interim report to Your Excellency during our last visitation and meeting at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan
Your Excellency promised to get back to us after going through the interim reports but we did not hear a feedback. We understand the busy schedule and the enormous task of your office.
This report comprises of the information from the initial interim reports and the details of our activities after our last meeting.
The PDP Elders Steering Committee was inaugurated by the governor, H.E Engr. Seyi Makinde in the government house, Agodi, Ibadan on Monday, 15th of June, 2020. The Elders’ Steering committee also had its first meeting at the Ikolaba house of its chairman, Dr. Saka Balogun that same day, Monday 15th of June 2020.
The steering committee held four other meetings respectively on Thursday, 18th June 2020, Monday, 22nd June 2020, Tuesday, 30th June 2020 and Monday, 6th July 2020 to make detailed arrangements, logistics and preparation for the interactive sessions with party leaders on zonal basis across all the 33 local governments of the state on the 7th, 8th and 16th of July 2020 at Jogor Centre, Ibadan.
The meetings were largely peaceful and many of the leaders appreciated the governor for the initiative to inaugurate the committee. Many of the leaders expressed their minds and explained issues that were causing division, uneasiness and dissatisfaction of party members in their respective local governments.
The Elders Steering Committee admonished and sent the leaders who attended the Jogor centre meetings to go back home and prepare their people for the visitation of the Elders Steering Committee.
The visitation to the 14 different federal constituencies began with Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency on the 9th of September 2020 and it ended with Egbeda/Ona Ara on 06/10/2020. In between, we realized that there are some local governments that required extra focus, attention and reconciliation. These local governments are Ibarapa East, Irepo, Orelope, Saki West, Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North local governments
2.
We also met with strategic leaders to hear their grievances and the issues they have with the government, party and governor. We did not limit our reach to the party alone; we also met with leaders of the coalition parties who worked with us during the gubernatorial elections. The leaders we met are Barrister Sharafadeen Alli, Alhaji Alli Dodo, Engr. Femi Babalola (Jogor), Rt, Hon Mulikat Akande Adeola, Alhaji Bisi Olopoeyan, Elder Wole Oyelese, Alhaji Azim Gbolarumi, Mogaji Nureni Akanbi and the deputy Governor, H.E Engr. Rauf Olaniyan.
This document contains the reports and complaints from each zone and leader. We also added recommendations from the Elders’ Steering Committee. Attached to this document are also the comprehensive minutes of the meetings held with the leaders and elders from the entire zones that make up the state.
3.
GENERAL ISSUES AND TRENDS FROM OBSERVATIONS
The inaugural address given by the governor, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, brief as it was, provided the framework and pointed to the steering committee the way to go to carry out its assignment. The governor indicated three main categories of possible complainants.
The first group he identified are some leaders of the party who he knew he must have offended for good reasons. Some of these leaders contributed a lot to the success of the party which facilitated the emergence of the PDP administration. But they rightly felt offended when he, as the governor could not agree with them on some critical details of establishing the administration. We have found that the degree of frustration suffered by some of these leaders would have been mitigated if the governor had made himself available for discussion, explanation and understanding or compromise. Instead, the governor sometimes chose to make himself inaccessible even by not picking telephone calls
The second category of complainants identified by the governor are some leaders and members who had an over- bloated assessment of their contribution to the success and emergence of the PDP government and who expected more than can ever be their fair share of government patronage
Even to this group, their ambition could have been moderated if they had enough opportunity for consultation with the governor and other leaders of the party. We are yet to find the third group of complainants identified by the governor as those deliberately planted in our party to disorganise us and cause mischief. It is possible that some miscreants could have taken advantage of some level of frustration among the general rank and file of the party followers who began to take sides among some disgruntled leaders who provided room for factional leadership.
Basically, we found out that there was not enough room for meaningful consultations between the governor and many party leaders after our success at the polls. The pattern of discussion and consultation changed abruptly when most leaders who had worked very hard for the party expected to participate fully in the process of establishing the government, but were side-lined.
Some who remained dogged and continued to tie themselves to the apron strings of the governor, at all cost, seized the opportunity to outplay some other leaders who considered themselves too dignified to struggle for recognition.
4.
The ensuing division within the leadership of the party promoted the struggle for power. The sharing of patronage in form of the initial major political appointments to key offices of the administration badly affected the unity and cohesion of the leaders. Who got what depended more on the consideration of the governor. In other words, the closer you are to the governor, determined the success or failure of your candidacy or political choices if you were personally running for an office or your candidate if you were the sponsor. Elsewhile, followers of certain well recognised and respected leaders in the local areas found their former followers queuing behind new leaders.
Some political upstarts were thrown up as new leaders irrespective of the strength or weakness of their political bases. This situation is illustrated by the appointment of caretaker chairmen, secretaries and members of the local councils.
One issue that attracted equal attention in all the local government areas is the issue of the local government council. The court process, which had affected the normal functioning of the local councils has caused understandable delay. Now, it is very necessary that our local government councils should be properly funded and encouraged to perform optimally to benefit our grassroots members including the women and the youths, and reduce the pressure on the state government for attention.
It is also observed that there is no substitution for consultation in democratic governance. This has been effectively demonstrated by the impact of the setting up of the elders’ steering committee by the governor. Immediately after the inauguration of the committee, the political situation of open disagreement, antagonism and open revolt changed. Leaders approached for discussions were prepared and willing to listen to a new message of hope and understanding.
Interactive sessions were held during meetings with leaders and members who now hope for the best in Oyo State politics and government.
In this regard, we appreciate the personal efforts of the governor made by contacting some identified leaders personally. These efforts have paid off handsomely. Fragile peace has been restored but hope for a better life has to be sustained.
5.
REPORTS FROM THE ZONES
OKE OGUN ZONE
Majority of the elders and members in Oke Ogun zones 1 and 2 agreed that all is not well with the party in the zone.
Many of the leaders from the two zones agreed that the issue they have is fundamental and can be traced to the 2017 party congresses
Majority of the leaders agreed that Senator Hosea Agboola a.k.a Halleluyah, Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha, Barrister Farinto and Chief Jacob Gbadebo Adetoro are not in good terms and it is affecting the progress of the party in the zone
As a matter of urgency, the governor must reconcile strategic leaders from Oke Ogun zones 1 and 2.
They also complained about not enjoying the local government not having funds to perform optimally
Some persons including some political appointees are impersonating and using the Governor’s name to cause division, disaffection and crises in the party. A good example is the Liaison officer for Saki East/Saki West/Atisbo federal constituency, Hon AbdulSalam Lukman Adisa (ADAMAWA) who issued a letter that you (The governor) directed him to reinstate the former Chairman who just returned to the party few months back.
Some persons in Oke Ogun are deliberately soiling and maligning the characters of other persons in the zone. For example, A certain Hon. Alani Alwajud said that he has been the one spreading the lies and rumours that Hon. Micheal Okunlade got 20 million naira for his elections from the opposition party to compromise his own success at the election
It was however established that the people of Oorelope voted enmasse for Hon Olumide Ojerinde as a way of appreciating what his father, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde has done for the community
OGBOMOSO
They complained of side-lining, marginalisation and neglect of loyal party leaders and party members
Majority complained that some of the political appointees including the caretaker chairmen from Ogbomoso are not relating with the party and the leaders
Almost all the local governments in Ogbomoso are factionalized
They also want the governor to resolve his differences with Alhaja Mulikat Akande Adeola
Leaders from Oriire complained that people who are in charge of the local councils are people who are not loyal party members as many of them worked against the party at the last elections
6.
The PDP Elders Steering Committee was able to reconcile majority of the crises in Ogbomoso zone
OYO
The party leaders are most times not being carried along in the scheme of things
Majority complained of side-lining, and loyal party members not having their due rewards
They want the governor to look favourably on the loyal party leaders of the zone with more appointments and recognition
They also asked the governor to empower the local councils with enough funds so that the impact of the government can be felt at the grassroots level.
They vehemently complained about strangers, outsiders and external factors interfering in the affairs of the local government under the zone
IBARAPA ZONE
The party was not in good shape in Ibarapa East until the Elders Steering committee stepped in and reconciled the leaders including the Rt, Honorable Speaker Edward Adebo Ogundoyin
Many of the political appointees from Ibarapa Zone are not loyal and committed party members
Many of the political appointees do not relate with party leaders , members and elders
Opposition members got loyal party members’ privileges in Ibarapa Zone
Many of the loyal party members are suffering and very unhappy
It is imperative to note that the PDP Elders Steering Committee brokered peace between Dr. Muraina Ajibola’s group and all other tendencies in Ibarapa North and Central Federal Constituencies
IBADAN ZONE
Majority of the leaders are not united
The governor has favourites among the leaders and it is unfair
They complained of lack of patronage, opportunities and appointment for members and leaders of the party
Party members are not enjoying the government
Majority complained of not getting the deserved recognition after the elections
Majority of the leaders are disgruntled, angry and discontented
Alhaja Mutiat Ladoja has made appreciable and effective reconciliatory moves in some local governments and her efforts are yielding positive results
Seasons Greetings 628 x 625
7.
The governor will need to personally settle the matter between him and some aggrieved leaders
Many of the local government leaders want more appointments for local and loyal party members
Some local governments complained of not having any meaningful appointments that can genuinely affect party members
Some of the leaders also prayed to the governor to fund the local councils very well so as to ensure governance to have far reaching effects on the people
Some of the appointees of the governor are not reaching out to party members with the benefits of being in government
OBSERVATIONS FROM AGGRIEVED PARTY LEADERS
Alhaja Mulikat Akande Adeola:
(A) She feels that the governor has treated her poorly, unjustly and unfairly.
(B) She said that the governor has exalted Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi above her in Ogbomoso and that is detrimental to her numerous followers
(C) She wants to know why the governor only listens and gives access to only Senator Halleluyah.
Alhaji Azim Gbolarumi:
(A) He is not angry with the governor nor the government
(B) The governor should create an avenue for leaders to meet with him regularly
(C) Those who worked for the emergence of the governor should not be forgotten
Engr. Femi Babalola:
(A) He said the governor knows he is a contractor and does not carry him along in the contracts he is issuing
(B) He said that the governor should consider the fact that he stepped down his own gubernatorial ambition because of him
(C) He said that his followers are complaining and lacking in the government
Mogaji Nureni Akanbi:
(A) He said he is not angry with the governor but the governor should remember the promise he made to them before he became the governor
(B) He said that the governor does not give him and other leaders enough respect, honor and access to him
(C) He complained that some of the persons appointed by the governor are total strangers who do not understand the workings of the party
Elder Wole Oyelese:
(A) He said that the governor has forgotten where they started from
(B) He said that some people are destroying the image of the leaders before the governor
8.
(C) He complained vehemently about how the governor has given political strength to Hon. Busari Olayemi to the chagrin of his own political dynasty
H.E Engr. Rauf Olaniyan (The Deputy Governor)
(A) He complained bitterly about being oblivious about the running of the government
(B) He said the governor has completely forgotten about the promises he made to him during the election
(C) He said that the governor has treated him in the most unfair, unjust and the most unkind manner
(D) He complained that the governor only gave him few portfolios and he has not given him more since then
(E) He also feels that Senator Agboola Halleluyah is more relevant than him in the government
Alhaji Bisi Olopoeyan:
(A) He complained about threat to his life and existence
(B) He said that the governor has forgotten him and dumped him after using him to achieve his electoral victory
(C) He complained that many of his followers are suffering and not enjoying the government at all
Alhaji Alli Dodo:
(A) He is happy with the governor and the party
(B) He wants more people to be accommodated in the party
Barrister Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli :
(A) The Governor forgot and reneged on all the gentlemen agreements they made during the elections especially when the coalition deal was struck.
(B) The slots the governor supposedly gave to ZLP members were given to personal friends of the governor or people who have pledged their loyalty to the governor
(C) The Governor is not managing political stakeholders and interest groups properly
To achieve a more permanent peace and facilitate understanding, unity, justice and steady progress in our party and government operations, we make the following recommendations:
9.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
MANY OF THE LEADERS ARE ANGRY AND DISORIENTED WITH THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE PARTY. Many party members are not enjoying the government and they are complaining.
RECOMMENDATIONS – The governor should personally reach out to some leaders.
THE GOVERNOR SHOULD NOT ALLOW EXTERNAL FACTORS TO PENETRATE OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. One major problem we observed from all local governments is that there are too many external factors prying into the affairs of other local governments. There are some leaders who are leveraging on the access they have with the governor to create faction and division in local governments different from theirs
THE ELDERS COMMITTEE SHOULD BE EXPANDED AND ITS MEETINGS BE MADE REGULAR SO THAT ALL TENDENCIES AND INTEREST GROUPS WILL BE PROTECTED. The State Elders Committee should be properly constituted and expanded to accommodate leaders of various tendencies and groups and the governor should meet with them regularly so that everyone will have a sense of belonging and consultations will be wide
RESPECT FOR PARTY LEADERS. A general trend shows that so many of the party leaders are not given or placed at the right place within the party either at the state level or local level. Many of the appointees of the governor have unduly arrogated to themselves leadership of their various respective local governments and have seemed to relegate the identified party leaders.
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE FUNDED – The party members at the grassroots complained that the lack of funds at the local government councils is denying and robbing them of enjoying the benefits of being party members of the government in power. The governor should look into funding the local councils more appropriately.
FREE, CREDIBLE AND FAIR PRIMARIES SHOULD BE ALLOWED IN THE PARTY FOR THE FORTHCOMING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION –This will enable party members to choose their preferred candidates that they can vouch for and they will be glad to support
10.
The higher level of consultation which will be facilitated by the Elders Committee will enable the state government to avoid some lopsided appointments into the state boards and parastatals. A little twist or adjustment in the style of administration of the governor will gladden the heart of many. In fact, this will make it more difficult for some leaders who arrogate to themselves the exclusive rights or privilege to advise or influence the governor on certain issues. This is a serious matter of perception rather than fact. But perception often drives human actions or reactions. Without his authorisation or knowledge, some political leaders who claim to enjoy the confidence of the governor use his name to perpetuate personal vendetta.
SIGNED:
S/N
NAME
DESIGNATION
SIGN
1
Dr. Saka Balogun
Chairman
2
Oloye Mutiat Ladoja
Member
3
Chief Sunday Ogunlade
Member
4
Chief Layi Baale
Member
5
Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha
Member
6
Chief Jacob Adetoro
Member
7
Oloye Jumoke Akinjide
Member
8
Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke
