The leadership tussle rocking Akinyele chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has taken a dramatic twist as Mr Dauda Tijani is claiming to be the party’s chairman of ward 8 in the local government.
Alhaji Dauda left the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in 2017 with his leader, Asiwaju Yemi Aderibihbe before returning officially to the PDP after the inauguration of Governor Seyi Makinde in 2019.
The party has been battling with leadership crisis at the largest ward in Akinyele following alleged pronouncement by Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde that all former executive members of the party at ward level should be reinstated to their positions.
While the party’s chairman, Comrade Jimoh Isiaka who replaced Dauda after his defection to ADC rejected the purported directive which he said emanated from Dauda’s camp claiming that his reinstatment is not “in strict accord with some sections of PDP Constitution.
Speaking on the matter with GOALPOACHER NEWS correspondent, the Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Local Government and chieftaincy Matters, Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe, he noted that the directive was issued by Governor Seyi Makinde. His words:
“We were in a meeting with the Governor, it was at that meeting that His Excellency as the leader of the party issued a directive that all former executive members of the party who had returned to the party be reinstated to their former positions since they emerged through a constitutional congress and that no congress was conducted since 2017.”
“We came back from the meeting and we are trying to effect the Governor’s directive and those who are not comfortable with the directive are the ones fomenting trouble in the party.”
“In a matter of days, circular will be issued by the state working committee of the party in compliance with the Governor’s directive. If by tomorrow, the Governor changes his position on the matter, everyone will comply. Governor Makinde is our leader, whatever he says is what we will comply with.”
When asked by our correspondent to comment on the allegations that he is a serial defector and that he is trying to hijack the party structure ahead of the local government polls to favour his anointed candidate, Hon Aderibigbe says: ” when we were rebuilding the party in 2017, I was the caretaker coordinator for Akiyele, Governor Makinde then as an aspirant was the coordinator for Ibadan Southwest while Oloye Sarafadeen Alli was the coordinator for Ibadan North. I ask, where were those people who are calling me names. Why were they not saddled with the responsibility of coordinating the party? During the first election in 2019 when I contested for Akinyele/ Lagelu Federal constituency, I came first in Akinyele, APC came second while the PDP came third. We know our strengths. This party belongs to the people and must be returned to the people. The Governor’s mission is for the party to be rebuilt and everyone must queue behind what the Governor wants for the party.
Hon Aderibigbe said it is not a sin to endorse an aspirant for elective position. He stressed that it is a norm in politics to anoint someone.
While reacting to the rumour that Governor Makinde has issued a directive reinstating the former chairman, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Hon Kunle Yusuff, in an interview with GOALPOACHER NEWS said the former chairman and his cohorts have become the figment of their imagination. His words:
“Let me set the record straight, truly the Governor called us into a meeting, he appealed that those that left the party before the 2019 general elections and returned after the election should be accommodated. Excellency said if their former positions had occupied, he promised to seek other means of compensating them.”
“At no point did the Governor say the former ward 8 chairman be reinstated. Can anyone challenge the directive of our principal and leader? They misconceived the statement and intent hook, line and sinker.”
“I can tell you boldly that there is no crisis whatsoever in our party. We need to sound a note of warning to those trying to cause crisis or disunity in the party to desist from such act.”
“With the type of Governor we have at the helm of affairs in the state and the party, the politics of “jagba” ( forceful take over), intimidation and threat are over in a repositioned Oyo PDP. We have been financing the party at Akinyele and Lagelu Federal Constituency since 2011 till date. We have not relented. We can just fold our arms and allow few selfish individuals ruin our gains for their own interest. We don’t preach violence, dialogue is better than confrontation.
” I challenge the former chairman and his allies to present the circular to the directive attributed to the Governor reinstating him to his former position. Let me tell you, don’t forget that they sponsored candidates against our party’s candidates for the House of Assembly. Their candidates recorded some votes but because we were deeply rooted, our candidates emerged victorious. We know their political antecedent, it is not new to us.”
Reacting to the issue, the lawmaker representing Akinyele Constituency 1, Hon Ayotunde Fatokun said the leader of the party in the South west and Oyo State, His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde didn’t make such pronouncement. The Chairman Parliamentary Council says:
“The Governor didn’t say it. We didn’t hear it from him and there’s no official document to back it up.
It is out of place and against the constitution of the party.
“Sincerely, they supported Seyi Makinde and still fronted their Assembly candidate; Ranti Babalola against me and to the glory of God, I won him flawlessly to the glory of God.
“So, we went to the polls with each party fronting it candidates. Alas, God gave PDP victory.”
“ADC did coalition at state level with Governor Seyi Makinde and not with the party at local level to support Oyo House of Assembly candidates.”
On their parts, the two leading aspirants for the 2021 local government polls, Hon Kazeem Adekunle of Akinyele South LCDA and Hon Taoreed Jimoh rejected the claims by Dauda Tijani and Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe that the Governor has made a pronouncement reinstating the former chairman of ward 8 to his position.
In the words of Hon Kazeem Adekunle, at no point did I enter into any agreement with any leader to sack the current executives in ward 8 which is the largest voting strength in Akinyele.
“What we are asking them to tender is the circular to support their claim that the Governor asked them to return to their positions.
Don’t forget some people have been running the affairs of the party when they left. We are law abiding party members. We will accommodate them but not to return to their previous positions.”
” If they are interested in running the affairs of our party, they should wait for another ward congress to test their popularity.”
In his words, Taoreed Jimoh says: “who does that, Dauda Tijani’s position is illegitimate. People like us have remained loyal to this party. I in particular have never left the PDP. We won’t allow meddlesome interlopers to cause disunity in our party.”
“All we are after in our party is how to support our principal, Governor Seyi Makinde to succeed and deliver on his campaign promises.”
However, the two opposing camps have chosen same venue and time for their meeting today. Below is their press statements.
“Notice of meeting;
This is to announce to the entire PDP member of ward 08 that there will be ward 08 meeting by tomorrow Wednesday 6th of Jan. 2021.
Venue: HLA primary school
Time: 4 p.m
Pls invite others that are not on the platform as Germain issues will be discussed and trash out.
Pls be punctual
Signed
Alfa Jimoh Isiaka
Ward 08 chairman”
“Notice! Notice!! Notice!!!This is to inform the entire members of Akinyele local government ward8 home and abroad that there will be ward meeting tomorrow.
Thanks for your prompt attendance.
Venue: HLA primary school,
Time: 4pm
Signed: Alhaji Dauda Tijani,
Ward8 Chairman”
