The strong man of Ibadan Politics and Chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Oyo State, Alhaji Abdul-Rasheed Adebisi Olopoeyan has said that he had no reason to consult anybody nor anybody dares to stop him over his purported defection to All Progressives Congress (APC).
Olopoeyan while speaking with the press men at his country home in Ibadan, the state capital on occasion of his 60th birthdate said that he didn’t need to go on consultation nor anybody dares to stop him, provided he wishes to show his membership with APC.
Ibadan based politician said that he could join APC as a notable party with influential people but he has no substantial reasons that can make him dump PDP which he has been picking tent with all over the years to another party.
Olopoeyan stressed that the internal wranglings in PDP are not sufficient enough to warrant his defection to APC or other party, adding that crises are normal in politics and that is why the stakeholders are not relenting in solving the crises.
He said he had firm belief and assurance in Senator Saraki led National Reconciliation and Strategy Committee to make things in order in the pacesetter PDP but Governor Seyi Makinde may possibly thwart their efforts because of the previous exercises which ended in futility.
Olopoeyan said Makinde was the architect of crises within the party and the wranglings may exit in shortest possible time, if the governor is ready for true and genuine reconciliation, adding that the principal officers among the state executives and other notable people are suffering but smiling in disguise
On Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s purported interest in national chairmanship of the party, Olopoeyan said the former governor of Osun State can’t be national chairman like that, he needs to go through the normal processes and procedures before his public contest at the national convention where the accredited delegates will decide who will lead the party.
On alleged statement credited to Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, the Southwest Chairman of PDP, while he said that those who are aggrieved in the party are paper weight politicians and stakeholders who are seeking favour from Uche Secondus, Olopoeyan responded that Arapaja is a new comer who has not known the pedigree and political influence of the referred stakeholders, he equally described Arapaja as someone who talks and addresses issues with no substantial facts.
Olopoeyan described Arapaja as someone who is acting the script of Makinde whom he alleged of using the platform of PDP in 2019 and eventually turned himself to semi-god who dictates who gets what in the party.
He said late Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu remains his mentor even after death because he had simple and dynamic mechanism of resolving crises within the party and most importantly on the role he took in 2003/2004 political tussle of Oyo State.
However, Olopoeyan said that he had regrets over the crisis in connection with the annulment of June 12, 1993 that almost exited his life and also the energy he dissipated to enthronement of Seyi Makinde in 2019 general elections was a regretful one.
Olopoeyan explicitly xrayed his journey of life from where he started at tender age till date and graciously said he has cause to glorify God for His infinite mercy over his life.
On occasion of his birthdate, family, politics and business, he said he was grateful to God Almighty for making things feasible as he plans.
