As the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party draws nearer and scheming on who becomes what is the order of the day ahead of the 30th and 31st October, 2021 convention. A group within the PDP in Osun State, Vanguard Development Initiative (VDI) has lend their voice to back the choice of Prof. Wale Oladipo to clinch the seat of the Deputy National Chairman-South of the party which has been microzoned to Osun State.
This was contained in a press statement released by the group and signed by the State Chairman, Hon. Alao Abayomi and its Secretary Prince Aluko Odunayo after the monthly meeting of the group, and made available to our correspondent on Sunday.
The group said it has been following with keen interest, the latest development in the party, especially the contest for the seat of Deputy National Chairman, South, where a former Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former National Secretary of the PDP, Prof. Wale Oladipo have declared intentions.
The group said, “We’ve followed with keen interest the raging debate on who should emerge the Deputy National Chairman, South, in the upcoming Convention of our great party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”
“By internal arrangements, Osun will produce the DNC, South, at the Convention and this has prompted a former Governor in the state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and a former National Secretary of the party, Professor Wale Oladipo, to signify interest in the position.”
“With the aspiration of both men, leaders and members of the party, especially in Osun state, sharply divided, with each sides pushing narratives and arguments to prop their preferred choice. While we concede to the right of individuals or even group to make choice and advice for his emergence, we are however persuaded by deep concern for the future of PDP to canvass for Prof. Wale Oladipo over Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola for the important position.”
“By all measures, Prince Oyinlola is undeserving of the DNC, South, and the reason for this is simple– disloyalty to PDP over time and unreliability at the points the party needed him most. This is a truth known to everyone, including promoters of Prince Oyinlola”
“Let us be clear here– we have nothing personal against Prince Oyinlola. Infact, he is someone we respect and hold in high esteem but our love for PDP outweigh narrow consideration, which influence this position. To us as a group in the PDP, PDP is everything, and it will be a great disservice to observe what will hurt the party and look the other way. Our conscience and the deep love we have for PDP will never allow us to do so.”
“Since the return of democracy in 1999, the biggest beneficiary of PDP in Osun remain His Excellency Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. A governor of nearly eight years and National Secretary on the platform of the platform, yet, when it was time for Oyinlola to reciprocate the good gesture of the party, he did not only ditch the party but hurt the chance for it to retake power lost through him.”
“In 2014, PDP was well positioned to dislodge the inept All Progressives Congress (APC) and retake power. But shockingly, Prince Oyinlola teamed up with the same party that sent PDP packing and worked against the party that gave him so much. The videos of his unprintable remarks about PDP and worse, branding the party as a failure among others, abounds on the internet.”
“He exhibited similar posture in 2018, when he left APC but worked with ADC, and just as 2014, paved way for the APC to retain power in Osun. To better understand the damage his actions caused PDP in 2018, summing up the more than 7,000 votes polled by ADC in that contest with that of PDP would have frustrated APC plan of declaring the election inconclusive, because the PDP would had excess votes that rigging will be impossible.”
“Now, having worked against the PDP at two different elections where we had a better chance to dislodge the APC, will such person be the right choice for a sensitive position in our great party as DNC, South? Therefore, we align ourself to array of party leaders and members who are averse to the choice of Prince Oyinlola in such important position.”
“Furthermore, we want to appeal to our leaders in the South West, top on the list, Governor Seyi Makinde to let the interest of PDP be the driving force as this will guide against choice that will reflect the wishes of the generality of members in the zone. South West is handed a valuable opportunity to prove people outside wrong.”
“We believe we must not go through the same path that has hindered the progress of our party in South West, and by extension, Nigeria. If we are desired of getting PDP to power in 2023, we must show this by presenting people with consistency and loyal to the cause of the party, not those who can easily come up with excuse to ditch it and work against it.”
The group furthered that “As a party desirous of returning to power and bringing smile to the faces of distressed Nigerians, we must get people with untainted loyalty to PDP and who will never have an excuse to work against the party no matter their grievances.”
“In that light, we align with our leaders in Osun PDP who have unanimously adopted Professor Wale Oladipo for the position of DNC, South. Just as many of them had outlined, Prof Oladipo is committed to PDP and will never desert the party. Let us use the October ending Convention showed Nigerians and indeed the world that we are ready and this time around, will put people deserving in the management of our party.” the group concluded
