Members of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State have opposed the move by the party leadership to adopt selection instead of the earlier position which was based on election through Congress in all the 33 local government areas of the State.
The party leaders in Itesiwaju local government, Otu, on Sunday, in a statement signed by its Local Organizing Secretary, Mr Lamuye Oni, said the selection approach showed illegality, which the governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde would not condone.
Lamuye said members of the party were elated when they firstly heard of the openness that was earlier introduced to the system, which led to the production of of the list of Returning Officers throughout the local government that make up the State, but were taken aback when they learnt that the list had been withdrawn for a selection system.
He said those who have fought for the stability and progress of PDP in all the rural areas would not be given fair representation in the process as only those who he said are close to the governor would be picked.
“PDP is the most democratic in all its doings and actions, It will never indulge in illegality, moreso, the Oyo State chapter, where we have Governor Seyi Makimde as party Leader, who is progressive by nature and disposition, he will not fall for anything other than what the party constitution dictates.
“Solution to the perceived wrongs on the list of The Returning Officers, is not Selection of our Party Candidates for the coming Local government election, such idea is only coming form those that developed trepidation because of their weakness in their respective local area and who only want to cover up with the tailor-made argument against the returning officers list.
“With panic, they bombarded our State Party Officers and proposed a selection method which they believed to be a saving grace, knowing fully well that their closeness to the corridor of power will enabled them have an edge.
“Therefore, selection of candidates for any election is obviously another method of imposition which will be counter productive, there are other party members who may not have the opportunity to be close to the governor or the roundtable of power, but very relevant and grounded in their domain, we believe selection option will shortchange such people.
“Therefore, it will be in tandem with Democratic dictates and in the nationally acceptable best practices to pick our party candidates through fair and free party primary, however, if there are solid cases against any stages of the party primary, such can be addressed objectively.
“For the party to accommodate other interest groups in the party, each Local government area should be allowed to use peculiar acceptable methods under the full watch of the State party leadership, but this should not be made the supper criteria to wave away our party primary.”
The party on Friday announced through its spokesperson, Alhaji Akeem Olatunji, the withdrawal of the list of Returning Officers for the Local government party Congress and stated the intention of the party hierarchy to adopt selection method.
Olatunji said in his statement: “This is to announce the withdrawal of the earlier list of returning officers appointed to monitor Oyo 2021 Local Government Congress in the 33 local councils in the State. The decision was arrived at after careful consideration of complaints received by the party.
“Any inconveniences caused is hereby regretted as the party will communicate appropriately in due course.”
The Itesiwaju local government PDP therefore urged the State leadership of the party to give the Vice Chairmanships of the party at the local government level to women members and members that joined PDP from African Democratic Congress (ADC) in order to entrench togetherness and position the party in better stead to win elections in the future.