Following the dismal performance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just-concluded governorship election in Ekiti State, a chieftain of the party, Yemi Arokodare, has called for an immediate reorganisation of the party in the Southwest zone.
Arokodare, a former House of Representatives member between 2003 and 2007, warned that PDP would suffer more setbacks if the party refused to field popular candidates.
He blamed the party’s misfortune in Ekiti on the former governor, Ayo Fayose, accusing him of “deliberately working against the collective interest of the majority of party members for personal gains.”
“It was obvious to the blind and known to the deaf that Chief Segun Oni was the popular choice of the majority in the party and beyond, but the prospect of the party was sacrificed for self-aggrandisement and delegates hunting by Fayose and his accomplices.
“I also hope that Gov Nyesom Wike has now realised that he was wrong in supporting Fayose to work against Segun Oni because of delegates number, despite all the entreaties.
“Also, Gov. Seyi Makinde was in a good position to help the PDP to see through the chicanery of Fayose and guide the party to make an informed choice in Ekiti, but he failed to realise that a loss for the PDP in the presidential election could cause his own defeat,” the lawmaker added.
The former lawmaker, however, expressed optimism that the party could still bounce back and do well in the coming Osun State governorship election and the 2023 general elections if it listened to wise counsel.
“It is quite painful that our party ignored my warning and is now off to a difficult start ahead of the general elections, but all hope is not lost because a reorganised and formidable PDP can still win the remaining elections.
“The party must show courage and be ready to do away with political wheeler-dealers who have turned the PDP into a fiefdom and personal business empire using its platform to extort, exploit and trade.
“The PDP is bigger than any individual or group, and the time has come for the party to take some decisive steps about returning it to winning ways, including negotiating with smaller parties.
“The PDP is a pan-Nigerian party; it has the history and reach to rescue and rebuild Nigeria, even as many people hope it would provide the alternative to the failed APC.
“The suffering in the land is killing, overwhelming, and unbearable; that was why the people could brazenly sell their votes for between N 5,000 and N20,000,” said Arokodare.
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