OJO OLADELE from Ado-Ekiti examines steps taken by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to to reinvent its winning ways and wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Just like it happened in 2014 when the then governor of Ekiti state, Mr. Ayodele Fayose returned to the Government House on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after defeating the then incumbent governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) then, strong indications have emerged in the past few weeks that the journey towards recording similar feat may have commenced in earnest.
To this end, party stakeholders, particularly its gladiators, former governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Biodun Olujimi, among other notable party leaders have been seen putting machineries in motion to actualise the ‘dream’.
Not minding the glaring differences existing amongst its leaders or members threatening the party’s chances in the coming governorship election in the state after a controversial primaries that almost polarized the party in the state, yet the party leaders still believe in their avowed commitment to ensure it sends the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government packing from the state come 2022.
The opposition party said the days of the ruling APC in the state are numbered, vowing that it would do everything that is lawful to secure the state from ‘clutches of hyenas parading themselves as progressives’.
The party said the result of the election in the state would shock the APC, which it said has betrayed the electorate by outrightly failing to redeem its electoral promises.
Of recent at a meeting held by PDP leaders across the 16 local government areas of the state, they lamented that the APC-led government had inflicted more sufferings on the people with incoherent policies and obnoxious actions.
Present at the meeting included; Senator Biodun Olujimi, ex-deputy governor Sikiru Lawal, former acting-governor, Hon. Tunji Odeyemi, Alhaji Lateef Ajijola, Eng. Alana Agboola, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe.
Others were immediate past Chairman, Barr. Gboyega Oguntuase, members of the PDP State Working Committe, Local Government party Chairmen and party’s leaders across the 16 LGAs.
The PDP said it was ready to liberate the Ekiti people from poverty, unemployment, insecurity and among other challenges confronting the state.
The party, however, tasked its executive members across all levels to commence aggressive membership mobilization in order to seize control of the state from the jugular of the ruling APC.
It urged party members to forge unity of purpose and togetherness, saying with such the party will succeed in returning to power and delivering superlative benefits inherent in democratic governance to the people.
As part of the strategies put in place to wrestle power from the ruling APC, the party agreed that members should co-operate with the two reconciliation committees set up at both zonal and national levels, chaired by, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Senator Bukola Saraki respectively.
Some of the positions at the meeting included, “It is however germane to know that the reconciliation of the party is sacrosanct and compulsory if we want to win the coming governorship election in the state next year.
“We should know that no individual’s ambition should be placed above our collective interests, and therefore, nobody should adopt a “do-or-die” approach to his/her ambition.
“Governorship aspirants were enjoined to see themselves as partners in progress, as whoever emerges as the party’s flag bearer will need other aspirants to win the general election.
“However, elders Committee comprising of men and women of substance was set up to serve as the conscience of the party”, it added.
The opposition party also tasked its executives at all levels to begin aggressive membership mobilisation to strengthen the party to be able to defeat the ruling APC.
The great task was initiated at a meeting convened by the PDP state secretary, Mrs. Funmilayo Ogun with 16 Local Governments and 155 ward secretaries in the State.
The meeting, which was held at the state party secretariat , Ajilosun, Ado-Ekiti, was attended by the Chairman of the party in the state, Hon. Bisi Kolawole and other members of the State Working Committee(SWC).
Addressing the party executives, the PDP state chairman, Hon. Kolawole, charged the party executives to embark on aggressive membership drive for the party to be well positioned to take control of the state from APC in the 2022 governorship election.
Kolawole said the meeting was unprecedented,saying this would be the first time that a secretary would organise a programme of this nature to boost the chances of the party.
“I urge the party’s secretaries to forget the style of the past and start mobilising for the party ahead of 2022 governorship election in the state.
“The ward secretaries should be responsible, know what they are doing and to always listen to the leadership of the party. Wining Ekiti back in 2022 is dear to our heart in PDP and you have critical roles to play for us to actualise this”.
The convener of the parley and former Commissioner for Works under ex-governor Ayodele Fayose, Mrs. Ogun, said she called the meeting in order to charge the ward and local government secretaries on how best to perform their duties as opposition party’s scribes.
Ogun said secretaries shouldn’t work at cross purposes with their chairmen for the party to be stable and peaceful to win elections.
“Secretaries cannot do anything without the permission of chairmen. The party’s scribes at local governments and wards should be ready to carry out other duties that may be assigned to them in a manner that will make our party stronger in the eye of the public.
“You must ensure that the implementation of the decisions and directives of the party are strictly adhered to. Ensure that all units of the party carry out their duties promptly. This is the best way to operate as an opposition party”.
She said it was the duty of the party’s scribes to render a written report of the activities of the party for better coordination and cohesion within the system.
