Members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from Oyo Zone are mobilising enmasse to Ibadan in protest against perceived moves by Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, to impose chairmanship candidates in the coming local council elections.
The aggrieved members, in at least 20 buses, said the moves to impose candidates negated the open process of primaries, which the governor and the party had vowed.
“Why did he (Governor Makinde) allow people to go spend huge on campaigns and to obtain forms when he knew he would impose candidates,” one member, a leader from Oyo East said, craving anonymity. “The Governor will destroy himself if he goes ahead because he’s trying to select unpopular candidates”
A primary process to elect the party’s flagbearers had been slated for Thursday before Makinde hurriedly cancelled it hours to commencement.
Insiders told AKÉDEOYO.COM that Makinde’s action followed realisation that an open primary could mean losses for his preferred candidates.
“But is it not better for him if popular candidates win,” another member queried.
Members are threatening to switch to APC.
“The only benefit for us is to be able to freely choose our candidates; otherwise, what are we benefitting from this government?
“If we are unable to do that, we could change parties after all people change faiths,” another local leader said.
