Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, is expected to unveil his senatorial bid at the Recreation Club, Ibadan, by 10 a.m.

A statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, said all arrangements have been concluded for the declaration, which will formally signal the lawmaker’s entry into the Oyo South senatorial race ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The statement added that the event is expected to attract political leaders, including party chieftains, state and senatorial executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stakeholders, supporters, and members of the public across the senatorial district.

It further noted that adequate security and traffic management arrangements have been put in place to ensure a smooth and orderly event.

Oseni, who currently chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), is positioning for a broader legislative role in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

The statement described the development as a significant moment in Oyo State’s political landscape.

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The decision, announced at a pivotal stakeholders’ meeting convened by the governor at the government secretariat in Ibadan weeks ago, was expected to provide clarity on the party’s internal challenges, particularly its festering supremacy battle with the faction aligned to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, but instead opened a new fault line within the party.

Multiple sources present at the meeting told Mega Icon Magazine that expectations were high that Governor Makinde would reassure party leaders on efforts to stabilise the PDP and strengthen its position ahead of the next electoral cycle, but his pronouncement endorsing incumbents at both the state and National Assembly levels came as a shock, leaving many stakeholders disillusioned.

A senior party figure, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the governor’s position had “upturned existing political calculations across the state,” noting that several aspirants who had invested heavily in their ambitions were abruptly shut out of the race. “What was expected to be a reconciliatory and strategic meeting ended up creating fresh tension. Many leaders left more uncertain than they arrived,” the source said.

The immediate effect of the declaration has been a wave of political recalibrations across key constituencies, including Ibadan South East/North East Federal Constituency, where aspirants who had been preparing for the House of Representatives contest have now been forced to abandon their plans.

Among those affected is a former council boss and lawmaker, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige, who had stepped down during the 2023 elections and was widely tipped to re-contest, but has now reportedly shifted his focus to the Oyo South Senatorial District, a development party insiders linked directly to the closure of opportunities created by the automatic ticket arrangement. A similar trend is unfolding in Ibadan North, where a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dada Awoleye, has also joined the growing list of aspirants for the senatorial seat, while former lawmaker, Gbede Aderemi Waheed and the Chairman of Ibadan North West Local Government, Hon. Rahmon Adepoju, among others have equally indicated interest, further intensifying competition in the senatorial district.

Sources within the party described the development as a “forced convergence,” explaining that the automatic tickets granted to incumbents had effectively blocked access to other elective positions, thereby pushing displaced aspirants into the same senatorial and house of representatives’ races in what one insider termed “a survival-driven political migration.”

Amid the growing discontent, influential stakeholders within the PDP are said to be insisting on a strategic shift that prioritises electoral strength over incumbency, warning that the party risks losing ground to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political parties if it fails to present candidates with strong grassroots appeal and financial capacity.

The concern, it was gathered, is heightened by speculations that the APC may field formidable candidates across key positions, including Hon. Aderemi Oseni, while the incumbent senator, Sarafadeen Alli, is being linked with a possible governorship ambition, a scenario PDP leaders fear could tilt the balance of power if not effectively countered.

“This is about winning elections, not rewarding loyalty blindly,” a party chieftain said. “The APC and other parties are preparing, and we must be realistic enough to present candidates who can match them in influence, popularity, structure, and resources.”

Beyond electoral strategy, stakeholders have also raised concerns over what they described as the marginalisation of loyal party members who stood by the PDP during its turbulent moments, arguing that such individuals deserved recognition rather than exclusion under the current arrangement.

According to another source, resentment is growing among party faithful who believe that the majority of the incumbents being favoured with automatic tickets have not demonstrated exceptional performance or contributed significantly to party development, insisting that lawmakers who have completed two terms should either seek higher offices or allow fresh eminently qualified contenders to emerge.

Further fuelling uncertainty is the governor’s reported position that while he would remain in the PDP, aspirants interested in contesting elections might have to pursue their ambitions on another political platform, with assurances of his total support, a stance that has intensified speculations about possible realignments ahead of the polls.

The speculation gained traction following Makinde’s recent engagement with leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, although details of the meeting remain unclear.

Party insiders said the absence of a clear directive from the governor on the outcome of the engagement has heightened anxiety within the PDP, especially as the timeline for party primaries draws closer and aspirants remain uncertain about the platform on which they may eventually pursue their political ambitions.

At the grassroots level, resistance to the automatic ticket policy is said to be intensifying, with several party members across local governments rejecting the move on the grounds of poor performance by some incumbents and their alleged disconnect from party structures and constituents.

A ward leader who spoke with our correspondent warned that enforcing the decision without a broad consensus could have serious electoral consequences, noting that “imposition has never produced victory in a competitive political environment.”

Despite the growing tension, Governor Makinde has yet to publicly address the concerns or provide a definitive roadmap for the party’s direction, even as his recent engagements have done little to calm the situation among the stakeholders.

With the 2027 general elections approaching and internal pressures mounting, the party now faces a critical test of cohesion and strategic clarity, as stakeholders await the governor’s next move in what many believe could ultimately determine their electoral fortunes in Oyo State.

(c) Mega Icon Magazine 

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Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Monday said the African Democratic Congress remained the only political party capable of rescuing Nigeria from its worsening economic hardship and security challenges.

Atiku stated this in Jalingo during the inauguration of the Taraba State office of the ADC.

The former vice-president, who formally joined the party on Monday—17 months ahead of the 2027 general elections—said his political experience across major platforms had convinced him that the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party lacked the capacity to reposition the country.

“At different times, we have tasted the APC, the PDP, and other political parties. They have not offered Nigerians anything other than insecurity, hunger, poverty, and unemployment,” he said.

Atiku, who left the PDP on July 16, citing irreconcilable differences within the opposition party, urged Taraba residents to demonstrate their desire for change by participating actively in the ongoing continuous voter registration.

“I am in Taraba to inaugurate our new party office of the ADC, and I want you to hold the party with integrity,” he added.

“Do not allow anybody to deceive you with any other party. The youths and women should know that we are doing this for them to have a better future, and I am holding on to their promise.”

Expressing confidence in the ADC’s prospects, he declared that the party would win Taraba State and secure victory nationally, describing it as “the only reliable political party.”

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has formally joined the African Democratic Party, 17 months ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku, 78, announced his defection in a brief post on his X handle on Monday, where he also shared photographs of himself holding the ADC membership card with the caption, “It’s official.”

The former vice president had been a leading figure in the Peoples Democratic Party until his resignation on July 16, which he blamed on what he described as “irreconcilable differences” within the opposition party.

He said the PDP had deviated from its founding principles, adding that the party’s current direction made his continued membership untenable.

Although Atiku had in July spearheaded the adoption of the ADC as a coalition platform for opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 race, he and some key figures — including Peter Obi and Babachir Lawal — had delayed their formal registration with the party.

They were also absent during the unveiling of the ADC National Secretariat in the Wuse district of Abuja, a development that fuelled speculation about the commitment of the coalition leaders to challenge the All Progressives Congress in the coming elections.

The opposition coalition had on July 2, 2025, adopted the ADC as its vehicle to contest the presidential and other polls in 2027, vowing to “rescue the country from collapse.”

ADC National Chairman and former Senate President, David Mark, said the coalition was not merely seeking political power but working to rebuild what he called the “crumbling pillars” of Nigeria’s democracy.

“Let it be known to all that this coalition of national political opposition groups goes beyond gaining political power. It is a concerted effort to rebuild the crumbling pillars of Nigeria’s democracy.

“The mission is clear: Rescue Nigeria. Rebuild Nigeria. Return power to the people,” Mark said.

He accused the APC-led Federal Government of hijacking democratic institutions and steering the country into what he described as a “creeping descent into total civilian dictatorship” in the last two years.

Mark also alleged that the government had abandoned governance and was “consumed with politicking.”

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A former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has described Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, as a “political orphan” allegedly lobbying intensely to join the ruling party amid dwindling influence in the Peoples Democratic Party.

Omisore, a former senator and chieftain of the APC, made the claim while speaking on Politics Today, a live current affairs programme aired by Channels Television and monitored by Mega Icon Magazine on Wednesday night. He dismissed growing speculations of the APC wooing Adeleke, insisting instead that the governor has been making back-channel efforts to gain admission into the party.

“I’ve never seen a governor begging to enter a party in my life. This is the first time. He’s strongly begging, fighting to get into a party,” Omisore said. “They’ve been meeting the president; they met him and a few people. They even met Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun State, to bring him into the party. So they are struggling.”

The former Osun deputy governor said Adeleke’s defection plot is not driven by strength, but desperation, noting that the PDP has lost ground in Osun State.

“PDP is no longer popular in Osun; half of its members have defected. The Aregbesola faction has now moved to ADC. So he [Adeleke] is now a political orphan,” Omisore declared.

He warned that mere overtures to APC leaders were not enough, stressing that any defection must involve genuine consultation with grassroots stakeholders.

“If they are coming to the APC, they should come home and talk to us. When you want to come to a party, there must be a willing section of the party members. Politics is very local,” he said.

Omisore also questioned Adeleke’s political capital and leadership impact since assuming office, arguing that the governor had failed to attract any major defection from APC to PDP in three years.

“In the 2022 election, APC garnered 375,000 votes, and PDP had 403,000 votes — a difference of just 3.97 per cent. That margin included the efforts of people who worked against APC, like former governor Aregbesola and some PDP leaders, who have now joined the APC,” he said.

He listed notable politicians who had left the PDP for the APC in recent times, including Alhaji Isa Oyedokun, Dayo Babayemi, and Hon. Wole Oke.

Omisore also threw a jab at Adeleke’s perceived lack of grassroots clout, saying, “If you’re truly popular, take another platform and win — like Governor Orji Kalu in 2007 with PPA, or Governor Alex Otti who left APC and won with Labour Party. That’s what political relevance means.”

There has been no official comment yet from Adeleke or the Osun State Government regarding Omisore’s claims.

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Nigeria’s democratic experience, however, is one conundrum that classical and modern theorists of democracy never envisaged. When Robert Dahl, in his work Polyarchy: Participation and Opposition, opined that a modern representative democracy should be characterised by inclusive participation and competition where free and fair elections, freedom of expression and associational autonomy are guaranteed giving rise to a system that allows broad participation and meaningful competition, I’m sure he wasn’t referring to what is presently playing out in the Nigerian political space. A fiasco that should only be referred to as a comedy of errors, Awada kęrikęri in local yoruba parlance. And i say this with all sense of seriousness.

To begin with, i ask this fundamental question. What is a political party, and what is it actually meant for? Since this is a monologue, I’m compelled to answer the question myself. Maurice Duverger, a French political scientist in his work “Political Parties: Their Organisation and Activities in Modern States”, defined a political party as a group of people that is organised to gain political power, and influence government policies based on a shared ideology or a set of principles. The key elements to underline in this definition are: a political party is organised to gain political power; and should be based on a shared ideology.

The above raises further questions, and I’m prompted to ask what particular ideology permeates Nigeria’s political parties of this dispensation? The AG/UPN, NPC/NPN, NCNC/NPP of the first and second Republic had clear ideologies that represented the political interests of Nigeria’s political actors during those periods and therefore, party hopping, in the name of defections was not a trend.

Between January and July 2025 alone, well over ten key politicians have defected from one political party to another, mostly PDP to the APC. From a PDP that once held the reigns of power and ruled this country for 16 years, which one politician even said would continue ruling for the next 60 years, to the APC that is currently in power, and I’m sure nursing the same longevity ambition of late Chief Vincent Ogbulafo.

It is said that politics is a game of interest, no permanent friends, and no permanent enemies. But I ask yet again, is this interest self-motivated or geared towards public good, as politics itself is meant to authoritatively allocate scarce values for the benefit of people. If this noble cause alone motivated the founding fathers of PDP to form the party and had driven their policies all these years, I’m sure the party would not have disintegrated so much so that the centre could no longer hold as it was in Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”.

Accusations and counter accusations of treachery, betrayal, and violations of agreements in the wake of the PDP presidential primaries of 2022 further worsen the already brewing tensions in the party following their loss to the APC in 2015 and their inability to regain power in 2019. And this, of course, has orchestrated the massive movement of major actors out of the party, some to the APC where it seemed rosy at the moment, others to form COALITIONS.

The Labour Party has had its own fair share of internal leadership tussle as well, with the party broken down to different factions under different party Chairmen. It was, therefore, no surprise that the main iconic figure of the party and its presidential flag bearer in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, decided to join seemingly strange bedfellows in the Coalition A group that already included the former Vice President and PDP Big Wig, Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, Rauf Aregbesola and a host of others.

What is particularly puzzling about this union is that just few months ago, some of these key figures were staunch critics and antagonists of one another, but today, mutual interest has brought them together, or should I say the shared desire to re capture power that they once had and lost at one time or the other.
Thus, the conduct of politics is once again reduced to state capture and its adjoining paraphernalia of power and not necessarily for the public good.

When the ADC was adopted as the platform for the coalition and the newly appointed interim national chairman, David Mark spoke at the unveiling, he said that the coalition move was aimed at rescuing the country from a drift to authoritarianism, abject poverty, persistent insecurity and creeping civilian dictatorship. These indeed were very honourable objectives if they had come from a more justified source, that is. But since these were the same people that actually put us in the mess we are today, but are now pretending like the mess just began yesterday, i beg to differ.

Under this same David Mark’s watch as Senate President, there were allegations of financial misappropriation at the Senate, one being the payment of #2 billion into the Senate account for distribution to the senators as largesse. A case that warranted his summon by the EFCC. In the area of insecurity, this same period (2007-2015)witnessed the most intense state of insecurity in the country where Boko Haram practically claimed and took over territories in some parts of Borno State. Not forgetting the Chibok girls’ abduction in April 2014. This was equally the period when the other coalition members were also in government except for Atiku Abubakar, whose reputation is well known, though he left government earlier on, but had made several unsuccessful efforts to return.

So, truth be told, I don’t see any change this coalition is capable of bringing. Instead, i see a group of people who were once in power, lost that power, and desperately wanted it back. What is the moral Justification for an El-Rufai who was very instrumental in this present government’s rise to power to claim, he now seeks change when we all know that that desire only arose from a personal vendetta resulting from his alienation from the current scheme of things. A business gone wrong. Or an Amaechi who was a key player in President Buhari’s administration under the APC and only fell out when he failed to secure the party’s presidential ticket and couldn’t mend fences with President Tinubu. Or Aregbesola, for that matter. Arguably, the most loyal henchman of Tinubu who had been down with him since day one before ‘Trailer pass their middle’. So, in my candid opinion, the ADC will do well to spare us the BS and concentrate more on how they intend to wrestle power from the APC. And from my candid opinion again, the only thing i can say to that is ‘Dey Play’.
A President Tinubu who defied all odds to rise to power under circumstances that should be specially researched. Riding on the emi lo kan mantra, he secured victory, whether contestable or not, against the resistance, opposition, and machinations of the powers that be, both within and outside of his party. And he achieved these without wielding any executive power.

This is the kind of person one coalition wants to unseat now that he possesses all executive powers of the presidency and its adjoining paraphernalia of office. Permit me to say once again, ‘Dey Play’.

Sincerely, i would be surprised if this coalition survives beyond this year talk less of 2027, more so, when there is still a serious contention as to who picks up their presidential ticket. Also, from all indications, their foundation is defective. And no structure built on a defective foundation can stand. It’s only a matter of time.

Be that as it may, I believe in this country and in the potential of it’s Democratic experience. An experience that has been sustained for twenty-six years uninterrupted. Yes, the dividends of democracy are yet to be enjoyed by the common man. Yes, we are still miles away from the developed Western democracies. Building the road to that proverbial El dorado of true democracy is not a function of government alone. Everyone has a part to play. It’s highly hypocritical, if not unrealistic, to behave irresponsibly and dishonestly in our own little sphere of influence or wherever position of power we find ourselves, yet expect government to behave otherwise. Building true democracies requires the collective effort of all elements in society. Yes, the government may take the lead, but it also involves the civil society, media, private sector, business owners, and the entire citizenry. Each and every one has a role to play in fostering transparency, accountability, and inclusive participation. Democratic institutions in this country will only thrive when there is mutual trust, respect for the rule of law, and active civic engagement. Finally, enduring democracy demands a united commitment to shared values that uphold human dignity, freedom, fundamental human rights, equality, and social justice.

Olusegun Hassan, Ph.D
Public Policy Analyst and Social Commentator writes from Ibadan.

The post Defections, Coalitions, and the Erosion of Democratic Ideals in Nigeria  first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post Defections, Coalitions, and the Erosion of Democratic Ideals in Nigeria  appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

The 2023 presidential election in Nigeria was a tense three-horse race involving the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party (LP). However, developments ahead of the 2027 presidential contest suggest a potential four-party showdown, with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) joining the fray — a move that may inadvertently favour President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.

As it stands, President Tinubu is expected to contest under the APC platform. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who flew the PDP flag in 2023, is now being touted as the likely presidential candidate of the ADC. This emerging shift has left political watchers speculating that Atiku’s exit could further weaken the PDP and help consolidate the APC’s electoral strength.

The PDP, once Nigeria’s most formidable political force, appears fragmented. The perceived defection of Atiku Abubakar and the growing uncertainty around the political direction of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, have left the party in a state of internal disarray. Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, known for defying political odds, is reportedly eyeing the PDP presidential ticket — a move that could trigger fresh tensions within the already balkanised party.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party remains firmly in the hands of former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi. The movement that emerged around his 2023 candidacy, popularly known as the “Obidients”, remains fiercely loyal and ideologically opposed to both the APC and PDP. However, any decision by Obi to accept a vice-presidential slot could alienate his support base, potentially leading to a defection of his loyalists to other platforms.

Observers believe the entry of the African Democratic Congress, with Atiku Abubakar as its likely flagbearer, has reshaped the political terrain — not necessarily by strengthening opposition forces, but by further splintering them. With the PDP still grappling with identity and unity issues, and Labour Party standing alone with its distinct youthful demographic, the APC may have less to worry about in terms of a formidable opposition bloc.

Beneath the surface, the All Progressives Congress is reinforcing its grassroots presence in strategic states. Recent realignments in Akwa Ibom, Delta, and Rivers states point to quiet but effective groundwork being laid by the party. The APC is building an electoral fortress across the country in anticipation of 2027.

With a reputation as a master strategist and a maverick in political maneuvering, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is considered a formidable force in Nigerian politics. Political strategists believe that none of the current contenders — former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi, or Governor Seyi Makinde — pose a consolidated threat unless opposition parties forge a united front.

It is also worth noting that all three challengers — Atiku, Obi, and Makinde — share a common political ancestry in the PDP, which once held Nigeria’s presidency for 16 years. Today, the party appears to be haemorrhaging influence, credibility, and top-tier candidates.

In a political class where most actors are poor losers, the increasing splintering of opposition platforms is viewed by some as a self-inflicted wound — one that could simplify the re-election campaign for President Tinubu.

With the African Democratic Congress offering Atiku Abubakar a new platform, and the Labour Party retaining Peter Obi as its leader, opposition forces seem more divided than ever. Unless drastic steps are taken to build consensus, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may be heading into the 2027 presidential election with a clear and widened path.

Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela writes from Abuja, the nation’s capital.

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Lam-Adesina represented Ibadan Northeast/Southeast federal constituency between 2015-2019.

The defection, which was done amid jubilations by his supporters at the Felele residence of the late former governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lamidi Adesina, came weeks after leaders of the APC visited the ex-lawmaker.

Lam-Adesina, who formally declared his withdrawal from the ADC informed that his decision to rejoin the party was as a form of respect to its leaders and elders who had persuaded him to return to the progressive fold.

The ex-Oyo commissioner for Youth and Sports, together with other aggrieved members of the party, grouping under Unity Forum,  defected to ADC in June, 2018 to pursue their political bids owing to irreconcilable  tussle within the party.

Lam-Adesina further disclosed that he had tabled his grievances to those who visited him and others who had promised to address it. 

The late governor’s son said he was happy to be back home after what he called a ‘loan deal’ to ADC. He thanked the leadership for making the platform available when it was needed.

In his words, “I am happy to be back to APC. For me, it is a great homecoming. Like I have said, I have told our leaders who spoke to me let us address our problems once and for all”.

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Adesokan, who was an aspirant of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Ibarapa East local government,expressed worry that no member of the party from the local government made the list of appointments recently made by the governor. He urged Governor Makinde to spread his appointments and the benefit of his governance to all nook and crannies of the state without sidelining any party.

Adesokan,  who is also the first Vice Chairman of the National Institute of Town Planners, in the state made this call on Thursday at the sideline of the 50th Edition of the institute conference in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital

He noted further that  members of the African Democratic Congress in the Ibarapa East local government have not been considered for any substantial position in respect to the share ratio for the political coalition between the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) African Democratic Congress (ADC)/and two other parties in the 2019 general election.

“For now, we have not really seen the benefit of the political party coalition in our constituency, but since the offices are not fully occupied yet, other things can still come in, which we believe our leaders are really working on.

“Ibarapa East deserves more than what we have on ground, and we are expecting more, probably at the forthcoming local government election In Oyo state, we believe our governor is a man of his word, and will fulfill all his promises”. he said.

The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) formed a coalition agreement with the African Democratic Congress,(ADC), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 gubernatorial election in the state.

He advised the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East state constituency who doubles as the speaker of the House,  Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin to meet and identify with other aspirants in the constituency to share ideas on ways to develop the zone.

The Lanlate born politician, Adesokan, was one of the ten aspirants that stepped down in a consensus agreement with Hon. Mark Olumuyiwa who later contested to represent the Ibarapa East state constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly but lost  to the current Speaker of the House.

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It was reliably gathered that former members of the Oyo State House of Assembly who lost their reelection bid largely due to the ‘coalition tsunami’ which paved way for majority of the PDP candidates in the State House of Assembly are being considered as Caretaker Committee Chairmen and Secretaries in some selected local government council in the build-up to poll slated for the first quarter of next year.

Majority of the proposed Caretaker Committee Chairmen, as learnt, are likely to contest the election as substantive chairmen without any formal defection to the PDP. This has also generated mixed feelings among the members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Also, Mega Icon Magazine checks revealed that protests have trailed Governor Makinde’s decision as party faithful, who overtly expressed their dismay against many key appointments made so far alleging that members of the coalition parties and the governor’s cronies who were unknown to the party were offered juicy appointments and thus occupy strategic positions in the PDP led government at the detriment of loyal party members. The aggrieved PDP members are of the opinion that Governor Makinde could be promoting a selfish agenda which would end up destroying the party in the state if the trend was not reversed.

Some political parties, which included; African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the New Progressive Movement (NPM) had formed a coalition in the build-up to the March 9, 2019 election to dislodge the government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and this eventually facilitated the victory of Seyi Makinde who was the PDP candidate.

Meanwhile, Governor Makinde had assured the coalition partners, drawn from various political parties and interest, of his commitment to the formation of an inclusive government. Although, recent appointments made by the governor had made some members of the coalition parties to express doubts about his commitment to their pre-election agreement, pundits are of the opinion that he (Makinde) has done well in this regard.

A prominent PDP chieftain in the state who confided in our reporter insisted that only card carrying members of the party will occupy the local government councils across the state, stressing that none of the said lawmakers stepped down for any of the party’s candidate during the election, but pursued their personal ambitions vigorously.

“The claim by the lawmakers isn’t true, they want to reap from where they did not sow. People voted massively for our party and its candidates because they wanted a change of government. Electorate in Oyo state were tired of the APC government and the only available alternative that could alleviate their plight was the PDP. So, claiming to have sacrificed their ambitions and won elections for our candidates is nothing but a scam.

“Did they rig, campaign or canvass for our House of Assembly candidates?”, he questioned.

Speaking further, the source disclosed that PDP stakeholders are seriously mounting pressure on Governor Makinde to consider the position of the party as they cannot entrust the local government councils, which is the grassroot into the hands of the oppositions on the basis of coalition or alliance which may affect the party’s electoral prosperity in future elections.

“This issue is very sensitive and we have to treat it as one. As a party, we cannot submit the councils to opposition parties in the name of coalition. Now that local government autonomy has come to stay, loyal party members must occupy our councils so as to complement our governor’s efforts in making Oyo state an envy of all. The councils cant be a bargaining tool”, the PDP source submitted.

When contacted, the party’s spokesman in the state, Engr. Akeem Olatunji maintained that Caretaker Committee is an appointment, and as the governor; Engr Makinde has the prerogative to concede some slots to the coalition parties.

“However, only card carrying members, core party faithfuls would be screened and allowed to contest on the platform of the PDP in the election slated for next year”, Olatunji emphasized.

By Idowu Ayodele

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