CHIMAOBI UCHENDU
Unless there is urgent intervention from the hierarchy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),in Ondo State, the party’s forthcoming primary in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency may end up in chaos. Some concerned elders in the state have sent a petition to the national chairman of the Party, Prince Uche Secondus and the BOT to stop the political chicanery and imposition by some leaders of the party.
Leader of the group, (Dr) Adewumi Abitoye has warned in the petition to the party, a copy of which was made available to The Crest, that any attempt to impose a candidate on the people of Owo/Ose Federal Constituency would be vehemently rebuffed stressing that the will of the people should prevail.
“As leaders of the party in Ondo State we are worried that some people believe that the best they can do for the party is to impose a candidate on others, it will not work,” Dr Abitoye said in the petition. “We once again raise this alert before PDP in Owo /Ose Federal Constituency is thrown into confusion and the party in our dear sunshine state is plunged into unnecessary commotion. We are nevertheless aware of the huge sacrifice of all members of N-PDP (Heroes of Democracy ) recently at the National Assembly owing to their massive defection from the APC ,yet we reject the imposition of Dr Bode Ayorinde on the party because it’s undemocratic, oppressive and an abuse of fundamental human rights of other contestants and all known democratic ethos.
“We strongly condemn this dictatorial tendency of the leadership of our party now vigorously pursued by the state chairman of the PDP ,Engr Clement Faboyede and his State Executive Committee. To us, this ugly step is absurd, demeaning and annoying.”
The petitioner continued: “Apart from the anti-democratic tendency of this act, we posit that some of the greatest tenets of democracy are the freewill of individuals and the provision of level play ground for all contenders. For instance, before the defection of Dr Bode Ayorinde into the PDP recently, two of our loyal and committed party members, Dr Toyin Abitoye and Arc Sadiq Obanoyen had obtained their Expression of Interest Forms and they were screened and issued clearance certificates in addition to their emotional attachment, huge financial and material investments in their aspirations already . This imposition therefore is indeed very unfortunate as it is unethical, unjust and oppressive . “
Owo/Ose Federal Constituency is where the Governor of Ondo State Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu hails from and PDP is aware that beating the APC governor in his backyard will be an herculean task but they want the PDP leadership to give all contestants a level playing ground.
