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The Peoples Democratic Party National Reconciliatory Committee led by former Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, on Monday, visited the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to address internal wranglings that have led to divisions within the party.
The committee met with Makinde at the state secretariat, Agodi in Ibadan, the state capital, to formally convey its mission in the state.
The state Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, who received the committee on behalf of the governor, described the task before the committee as an arduous one.
He stressed that the outcome of the committee’s assignment would determine the future of the party in the country, whether to progress from the current quagmire, remain stagnated, or retrogress.
Makinde admonished all the party stakeholders within the party to put aside their differences and work cooperatively with the reconciliatory committee to strengthen the party’s position in Nigeria.
He said, “On behalf of Governor Makinde, I want to welcome you. It is a privilege again that this reconciliation is starting from this state. Whatever is done here would show to other states that the committee means business.
“You have an arduous task at hand and you should not raise this assignment into platitude but take it as important as what anybody can think about because your assignment will determine the future of PDP in Nigeria; whether we will forge ahead or stay stagnant or go backward. The outcome of this assignment would give us one of those three things.
“PDP used to be a very strong political party which towered above other parties in Nigeria and in its trajectory of particular foundation laid in the First Republic between 1998, 1999 up to 2015, it was a party to beat. But in 2015, we ran into murky waters, politics of shenanigans, and primordial sentiments, which got us into where we are today.
“Before now, we were in control of 28 states but today, we are struggling with 12 states. So, if we look forward to winning elections, we will know clearly that we will struggle hard to win any national election. So, what do we do?
“In my own humble opinion, we have to drop primordial sentiments of tribe, religion, and section and embrace unity founded on principles. What has happened in recent elections, for example in Edo State, we have lost the state to APC. Ondo State poll is coming very soon but are we still divided or uniting as to go and confront the election and win it? I know that with your efforts, we stand the chance of winning Ondo State for PDP.
“You are at the national level and the state level as well and you know the challenges that you confront as NEC members but I know that, if at that level, you give to us a ray of hope that we can move forward and win the election, so it will be.
“There are characters at the national level with interests. We are all human beings but within our interests and ambition, there must be a super arrangement that can accommodate and bring our people into line, which is a major assignment for you to come up with.”
In his remarks, Oyinlola attributed the internal rifts within the PDP to various factors, including disputes over personal political interests, aspirations, and party supremacy among others.
“The committee aims to find a lasting solution to the challenges faced by the party through dialogue and negotiation and to ensure that all stakeholders have a sense of inclusivity.
Oyinlola, who assured the governor that the committee composed of highly respected politicians with track records and vast political experiences, said they were determined to carry out effectively the task it was saddled with bearing in mind the enormity of the responsibility on its shoulders.
“We have taken a very deep and hard look as to why our party, the PDP is where it is today. If you recall, at the beginning of this democratic system, that’s 1998,1999, PDP had under its control, 28 states out of 36 but today, we’re left with 12.
“The retrogression is alarming and nobody is happy about it, and that’s why this committee has been constituted to dig deep and see what has been responsible for this retrogression. In a nutshell, that’s why we’re here,” he said.
He, therefore, appealed to all aggrieved members of the party to sheathe their swords and allow for genuine reconciliation with the party, adding, “I know for sure that genuine members of the PDP are not happy about what’s happening to the party.
“I will, therefore, want to plead with every member of our party that they should be forthcoming. Let’s forget as the deputy governor said, primordial sentiments, let put all the cards up, there’s enough room for everybody.”
Present were former Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, who is the national secretary of the committee, PDP BoT member, Mutiat Ladoja, former Minister of State for FTC, Jumoke Akinjide, Segun Sowumi, Eddy Olafeso and other members of the committee.
