Primary L’afe o, Primary L’afe! Oluseyi! Primary L’afe!
Was the song that rented the air at about 11:05am on Saturday 6th March, as protesters from Ibadan South East Local Government storms Oyo PDP state secretariat at Molete, Ibadan Akéde Ọ̀yọ́ Reports
The internal crisis that has sprawled in the party as a result of what the aggrieved party called imposition of chairmanship aspirant on the party in the forthcoming local government election seems to be nowhere near it’s end, as the party seems not to have come to a reasonable point of decision on the matter at hand.
The protesters held on to the demand for a primary election, wherein a candidate who’ll represent the majority of the party in the forthcoming election would bear the party flag.
The protesting members led by Mr. Banjo Olayinka popularly known as Mr. Bigger, the chairman of all ward chairmen, occupied the party Secretariat Ibadan, in an angry mode to demonstrate their dissatisfaction over the high handedness of the party leadership in the state, saying they have not demonstrate the democratic tenets on which the party was Established.
Bigger while speaking with Akéde Ọ̀yọ́ said “We’re not in any way in war with the government of Engr. Seyi Makinde, He’s been doing well and projecting the party in a good way, but there are some alien politicians who were privileged to be in the governor’s cabinet that are disturbing the peace enjoyed in the party due to their plans to siphon local government money by putting their protege in the office”
The protesters accused Hon. Wasiu Adeleke, the party’s general secretary and Hon Dare Adeleke, the chairman Pace setter transport service Commission, of conniving to subvert the will of the people by ensuring that no primary election was held in the local government while their protege Hon. Emmanuel O. Alawode, the incumbent caretaker chairman is made the party’s flag bearer.
The party leaders from the local government have agreed to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner to ensure a free, fair and credible primary, that will represent the voice of the majority.
While addressing the protesters, The State Party Chairman, Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha, Pleads with protesters to stay calm and assures the party members that their will shall be done.
He also said further that,” on no account will a candidate be imposed on the people, PDP is a democratic party and we’ll embrace and uphold all principles of democracy in our dealings”
” I can assure you all that we’ll conduct free, fair and credible primaries in all the 32 Local Governments except Egbeda which has been resolved” he said.
We are working out suitable modalities to be used for the primaries and the people would be briefed of the decision on or before monday he said.
Speaking with Our correspondent, Hon Olubayo a current member of Ibadan South East Local Government said, ” Hon Alawode performed woefully in office, when he was supposed to be working for the benefit of his people he was busy coniving with those that will help him win the ticket to Contest. He has looted the Council Treasury, we can’t afford to return such person back.
Why is he afraid to Contest a free and fair primaries after serving as chairman for 14 months? isn’t that shameful to think of? A free, fair and credible primary election that will the will of the people’s and leaders of our part is all we want.
Those in the race are , Hon Demola Olaifa, Hon Emmanuel Alawode, Hon Tessy Oyedeji, Hon Alhaja Olaide, isn’t it better they all test their popularity at the Primaries? he asked.
Another Leader from ward 11 Ibadan South East Com Mudasiru Olaiti said if the prosponment was because of Security we don’t mind going to Abuja for the Primaries, it happens during the days of former Oyo State Governor Sen Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Primaries was taken to Abuja because of Security issues, same thing can be done here, all we want is Primaries.
Oloye Dosu Also from ward 11, Said Hon Emmanuel Alawode ignored both the party members and Community members but busy dolling out money to some people to secure him the ticket, which is why they want to select him instead of conducting an all inclusive primary Election.
Oloye Jagun Omotosho who also have a chat with our correspondent, express displeasure in the whole process, saying why on earth will some people site at the comfort of their homes to decide what happens right in our very own nose? isn’t that babaric? it’s uncallfor and that’s why we are here to lend our voice, we say no to imposition in our local government.
