The chieftain of the People Democratic Party, Alhaji Rasheed Adebisi Olopoeyan has shed more light on why the fracas in the party seem not to come to an end. In his interview, he emphasized how the political figures have contributed negatively to the system of politics in the party.
He said, “The system of politics in the time past is not different from that of today. The only difference is that of the people in the party. The ways of politicking today has brought confusion to the party, they are the Facebook politicians.
“The ones that have come into politics in search of greener pastures made politics to be perceived in a different manner. They join politics for the benefit of position and once they get it, they grow wings and become unnecessary leader.”
When asked about why APC is not planning to participate in the upcoming local government election and why PDP didn’t participate in APC’s election during their tenure.
He said, “The PDP didn’t participate in the election to local government during APC administration because there are 33 local governments but the APC wanted to vote for the position of 68 including LCDA. That was why the PDP said no, it’s not in line with the constitution.
“And for the APC not also participating is because they have case still pending in supreme court and they concluded that until the case is settled, had it been judgement had been passed on the case, they would participate.
“There reason for not participating was because they believed they have been dealt with unconstitutionally. I can’t blame they for not participating in the election too. If they do, they have gone against the rule of law.
“And if PDP conduct election, I wouldn’t say it’s authentic because we did no primary election. So even in our party, PDP, it’s not even authentic. In every election, primary is paramount but we didn’t do it.
“The candidates were only selected by some figures and it’s against the law of the party and the law of governing electoral process. Although, it’s possible to have consensus were we come together as a party to select candidates but still primary will not be overlooked.
“Even we, PDP are not right for not doing primary after selling forms to candidates that showed interest
“They urged people to obtain forms and people did not freely, it was sold out to them. I also obtained seven forms for counselor from my money. If we do not want to participate, we wouldn’t obtain form. But after obtaining the form, they decided not to do primary again but rather set up some committee to talk to people instead of leaders to.
“Those that we are doing the party together don’t really know much about the party except for the money, they know nothing. And they are not ready to be corrected.
“Since the governor assumed his position, he has become the leader of the party in his on view, nobody is my party leader. It is when I accept you that I see you as my leader and I don’t make myself a leader of anybody.
“If you accept me, you can call me your leader. The word “our leader” is just a way to deceive oneself, there is nothing like that except we accept one another.
“There is also the role of boss. Those in the secretariat may call Seyi Makinde their boss but he is not mine because I don’t work in secretariat and I seek to work their, so how could he be my boss?
“And even in the party, Seyi Makinde met me in the party because we ushered him into the party.
“As I speak, I don’t like how things are done in the party so I may be difficult for me to advise anyone in the party not to be angry about how they run the system because I’m angry as well.
“Those that borrowed money to obtain the form would certainly be angry. If they do the right thing no one will be angry. Let them dissolve what they have done already which is baseless and do the needful,” he concluded.
