Political party Stakeholders in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo state have called for a level playing ground for all political aspirants into various elective offices on the platform of the ruling party ahead of 2023 general election warning that any attempt to foist candidates on the people may have electoral consequences.
The stakeholders made this known in Ogbomoso North last week Monday March 14 during the party’s local government meeting where the leadership of PDP in Oyo state on a ‘thank you’ tour of all the zones were received to the council area by party faithfuls.
The five councils area in the zone are Oriire LG, Surulere LG, Ogo Oluwa LG, Ogbomoso South LG and Ogbomoso North LG.
Speaking at the event, one of the leaders and Chieftains of the ruling party in the state, Dr Saka Balogun who commended Governor Seyi Makinde and the leadership of the party in the state for managing the party’s affairs commendably urged party members to continue to give the Seyi Makinde led Government all the needed and unconditional support.
He noted that the party has become the toast of the masses and urged the leadership of the PDP in the state to avoid imposing candidates on members stressing that such move may be counterproductive as the state and nation prepare for the next general election come 2023.
The Chief of Staff to the Oyo state Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, in his remark dispelled the speculation of having any anointed candidate saying he remains a leader for everyone in the party assuming that he would continue to work with other party leaders and stakeholders to ensure that PDP records even better results in 2023.
He urged all political aspirants to play politics in the spirit of sportsmanship adding that the success of the party should be topmost priority to everyone as against personal aspirations. He called on all party members to intensify efforts on membership mobilization drive assuring that what seemed not enough will soon go round.
In his remarks, the State Chairman of the party, Honourable Dayo Ogungbenro urged party members to continue to remain united urging them to shun any form of divisive conduct and behaviors capable of projecting the party in bad light.
He assured that the leadership of the party will ensure a level playing ground for all political aspirants vying for various elective offices ahead of 2023 on the platform of the party noting that only one person will eventually win a contest that has just one seat calling on political aspirants to remain faithful and committed to the party.
He however, noted that either the party decides to adopt the direct primary approach or consensus approach the success of the party in the coming election should remain paramount to all party faithfuls. He maintained that consensus approach by any political party does not imply imposition of candidates.
He urged party members not to allow themselves to be misguided into conceiving wrong perception of events within the party noting that it is only with a united PDP that the envisaged electoral success could be achieved while assuring that the leadership of the party will continue to be fair and be seen to be fair to all.
Speaking with this newspaper, the Spokesman of the ruling party in Oyo state, Akeem Olatunji said the thank you tour has revealed many things in terms of strength and areas that needed more attention to the leadership of the party in the state.
He maintained that the tour was a huge success as party faithfuls and non politicians alike trooped out in their thousands to receive the party across all the zones visited stressing that there was no single record of violence among members who he commended for conducting themselves in what he described as appreciable manner.
Olatunji assured that PDP remains the party to beat come 2023 while reiterating that there is no vacancy at the Agodi Government House come 2023 as Makinde’s achievements across all sectors have perpetually silenced opposition parties who he said have nothing else to say against Governor Makinde.
Present at the event were Chief Bankole, Hon Ezekiel Oyedepo, Alh Razak Gbadegesin Agbeti. Others were Federal Representative Aspirants; Hon John Oke Legacy, Hon Olufemi Onireti, Hon Smarto, Hon Folaranmi Oyebamiji, Hon Olaleye Olasunkanmi, Hon Sharafadeen and others.
