Ibadan
Another dimension has on Tuesday emerged to the choice of who becomes the South West Chairman for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The development was revealed following Governor Seyi Makinde and some other party stakeholders adoption of Ambassador Taofik Arapaja during the PDP Zonal caucus meeting held at the Government House ,Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.
The meeting which had in attendance Senator Abiodun Olujimi representing Ekiti South in the National Assembly, all PDP lawmakers at the National Assembly from Oyo State, the candidate of PDP in Ondo State in the 2020 governorship election, Eyitayo Jegede; Senator Olu Alabi, the caretaker Committee Zonal Chairman, Dayo Ogungbenro; former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Segun Oni, former Deputy Governors kofoworola Akerele-Bucknor(Lagos), Olusola Eleka (Ekiti), Olusola Obada (Osun) and others.
Governor Makinde while speaking on the latest development said the decision to nominate Arapaja was made after consultations with party leaders in the state.
Makinde said:”I want to beg that for each of our state, let there be inclusiveness. Let all tendencies in our states come together and agree on the person that we will put into each of these positions so that when we get here on March 6,2021,we will just do funfair and there would not be disagreement or crisis. We will come just to validate what each state has done. That will be my expectation and that will be my message to everyone.”
He said, “To lead that charge, in Oyo State, many have come to meet and asked me who is our candidate for the chairmanship position zoned to our state. I asked them to consult all our leaders. The feedback they gave was that if we want Southwest to play a critical role, we need depth and experience, because the Zonal Chairman is a member of the National Working Committee. We need someone who is honest and truthful. They went round the state and the name they brought to me is that of Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja.”
“I told them that we would unveil him at this meeting and he will go to all the states and tell you all their vision and what they would do ensure that Southwest play a major and critical role on how to redeem this country”.
The governor said the party would redeem the country in 2023, saying the journey would begin in Southwest, noted that we are on the verge of history. Our coming together to put in the executives that will lead our party in Southwest zone is history in making. There cannot be redemption for our country without the participation of Southwest. Our party will provide the right leadership for the country”, Makinde said.
Speaking , Dayo Ogungbenro, said the meeting was important in view of the coming congress, adding that the party constitution has a laid down rules which must be followed.
Also, speaking a member of Board of Trustees (BOT), Senator Olu Alabi who was the governorship candidate of PDP in Osun State in 1998 election, said:”PDP is governed by certain mantra which are constitution and conventions. It is important that we follow the convention of the party as we follow the laws.
“Anyone made the leader must be able to tolerate anything. In Southwest now, we have one governor in our party. Automatically, he is the leader of the party in the zone. As the leader of the party, it is a lot of responsibilities. The leader must reach out more than what is doing now. You have to concede a lot of things. That concession must extend to your base and zone. We must institute and strengthen Elders Committee that will be in form of BOT.”
It is necessary for us to build a very strong party base. Our party is not as strong as it should be”.
Senator Olujimi said the time had come for the party to use its members in the National Assembly to become formidable.
Former Governor Oyinlola emphasized that the party must unite to achieve its objectives.
Arapaja said the future is bright for the party.
The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin urged party members to eschew pride and embrace humility in order to resolve issues in the party.
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