As the race for 2023 draws nearer, the scramble for the control of the structures of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State has started in earnest.
It is no no more news that some aggrieved members in the party are fighting hard to hijack the party structure from the leader of the party in Southwest, Governor Seyi Makinde. A mission that seems impossible.
Many members of the party in Oyo State heaved a sigh of relief when ex- senate president, Bukola Saraki led reconciliation committee came to the state to broker peace between the Governor and the aggrieved members. However, the race for various positions from ward to state level has unofficially commenced.
GOAL POACHER NEWS examines the intrigues that may likely determine who gets a particular position as the party’s congresses kick off on September 25th.
In the political circle, romours have it that some chairmen that are closer to the governor may likely return basically for their loyalty to the party and support for the aspiration of Engineer Seyi Makinde in 2019. GOAL POACHER NEWS gathered that those who may return are the one that stood with the party when others defected to the ADC in 2017. Some of them are loved by party members and leaders in the state. Others that are likely to return include, some chairmen from Oyo Federal Constituency namely, Atiba, Afijio, Oyo East and Oyo West. While others from Oke Ogun which is under the firm control of Senator Ayoola Agboola may return.
A chieftain of the PDP from Ibarapa who spoke with GOAL POACHERS NEWS on condition of anonymity said some chairmen helped Governor Makinde’s camp during the party’s Southwest Congress held in Osogbo, Osun State by monitoring there colleagues to ensure they didn’t vote for Eddy Olafeso. “They collected the voting papers from Ibarapa North and Central delegates that were for an House of Representatives member, Hon Ajibola Muraina and made sure they voted for Arapaja.
“It is certain that the chairmen in Ibarapa Central and North won’t return, that is certain, their loyalty is to their principal who is antagonizing our performing governor.”
Another party chieftain from Oyo Central Senatorial District affirmed that “Majority of the party LG chairmen may return if Governor Makinde so wish because those people stood by him and refused to follow Ladoja who put most of them there in 2017.”
The situation in Ogbomoso is not totally different. The structure of the party is now under the firm control of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi. Some of the party chairmen from Ogbomoso zone are loyalists of former House of Representatives leader, Hon Mulika Akande.
Most party leaders and members have switched allegiance to the camp of Ogunwuyi who has been described as a unifier. It is likely that most serving executives in the five local governments in Ogbomoso who are not loyal to Governor Makinde and Ogunwuyi’s leadership will be shown the exit doors.