Crisis rocks the major opposition party in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), again as a former Minister of Sports and Special Duties and chieftain of the party, Professor Taoheed Adedoja resigned from the party.
Adedoja, who was a formidable contender for the chairmanship seat of the party last year submitted his letter of resignation to the national chairman of PDP, Chief Uche Secondus to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The resignation of Prof. Adedoja from the PDP has brought to four the number of National Chairmanship aspirants who have resigned from the party. Others are Otunba Gbenga Daniel a former campaign DG for Atiku Abubakar, Prof. Tunde Adeniran a former BOT member of PDP and former minister of Education and Sen. Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, former governor of Oyo state.
In statement made available to Alternativeafrica.com Friday, Prof Adedoja explained, that his defection to ruling APC at this period of Nigeria’s political dispensation is to contribute his best to the unity of Nigeria, “as dictated by my pan Nigerian experience, having built bridges of unity among various socio political groups in the country.”
Adedoja was the Governorship candidate for the Action Congress (AC) in the 2007 Governorship election in Oyo State in the western axis of the country when the then party (AC) fielded Alh. Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate.
Adedoja, a former Pro Chancellor of the Federal University in Dutse, Jigawa State contested for the National Chairman of the PDP at the National Convention of the party in 2017.
On his relationship with the Oyo State Governor elect, Engr. Seyi Makinde, Prof. Adedoja stated that Makinde is his brother whom he maintains cordial relationship with stressing further that he had congratulated him to wish him God’s guidance in the newly onerous task of governing Oyo State.
To further justify his journey to APC, Prof. Adedoja, who was a former Provost, Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, said, “I want to align with the Federal government of Nigeria to contribute to the good governance the country deserves for our people and for my followers across the country.”
Meanwhile, a pro-democracy and human rights group, Inclusiveness in Governance Initiative (IGI), has lauded the step taken by Professor Adedoja, describing it as “a welcome development.”
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Steven Bola Ashalu, the group said the way PDP has been marginalising the south-west in the party’s scheme of things is unacceptable and undemocratic.
According to the group, if the PDP fails to put its house in order by carrying all stakes holders along and treated equally, it should expect more resignations from other major aggrieved members of the party, warning that, “such development can collapse the party if not nip in the board before it is too late.”
The group however wished Adedoja good luck in his new party just as it pledged its unflinching support for him, saying, “Ladoja we know is a born achiever and grassroots mobiliser, who will be a great asset to the APC both in the state and nationally.”
