Uneasy calm in Oyo PDP as Makinde plans LG election

ALL appears not well within the fold of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State following the decision of Governor Seyi Makinde to concede some local government councils to members of the coalition political parties ahead of the planned local government election in the state.

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