LAGOS JULY 14TH (URHOBOTODAY)- – Despite the ongoing crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Lagos State chapter of the party under the leadership of Hon. Moshood Adegoke Salvador is strategising ahead of the forthcoming local government election in the state.
In this light, the party on Wednesday July 13, held a general meeting of members at the party secretariat, located at 56, Adekunle Fajuyi road, Ikeja, GRA Lagos. The meeting, the first since the swearing of state executive members brought members of the party from every part of the state together. Chief Ola Apena, vice-chairman of the party did not mince words when he stated that the purpose of the meeting was to deliberate on two important issues facing the party.
The two issues according to him, is the crisis facing the party and the forthcoming local government election in the state. He stated that the party is facing crisis because Ali Modu Sheriff, who was brought to complete the tenure of Adamu Mu’azu, former national chairman of the party came with a hidden agenda. He said, “We all supported him when he came in because we thought he had a genuine intention.”
He urged members to learn a lesson from the attitude of Sheriff and “allow God to elevate you to whatever position at the right time. Whatever promise made to you, it is only God that can give anybody position.” He described Sheriff as a man with many ambitions which he wants to use and bring confusion in the party.
Apena was also not happy with the performance of Adamu Mu’azu, former chairman of the party whom he said led the party to electoral failure because he supported Muhammadu Buhari to promote northern agenda. “Mu’azu, instead of working for the victory of PDP in the last election, aligned himself with Muhammadu Buhari and worked to ensure his victory which to me was done to propagate northern agenda.” He further described PDP as a strong party that is more than individual’s ambition or selfish interest. The crisis according to him is needful because of a lot of indiscipline and other irregularities that has been reigning in the party in recent time. “We need this party crisis because indiscipline has found its way into the party and we need to shake ourselves.”
On the forthcoming local government election in the state, the PDP vice-chairman declared the preparedness of the party to participate the election despite the shoddy preparation of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. “We are here to discuss on how best we can prepare for the coming local government election, so that we would not be taken unaware.
“Though no date has already been fixed for the election, Ambode can wake up one morning and give instruction to Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), to prepare for the local government poll within 30 days, though the law prescribed a minimum period of 90 days notification. “Once a bill for the amendment of that law is sent to Obasa in the House of Assembly within a day, the bill would pass first, second and third reading then, it become it becomes a law the following day. “So we don’t want to be taken unaware”
The PDP he said would not boycott the election because such action in the past did not help the party. Apena described the former ruling party as the credible party for the country because the ruling APC has deceived the people and many are yearning for the party to take over power in next elections.
In his speech, the state chairman, Salvador, who reiterated the determination of PDP to chase APC away from Alausa and Aso Rock in 2019 said the executives of the party in the state will not allow miscreants to distract them. He described the present situation in PDP as indiscipline and urged members to show commitment in its effort to regain power in the next election.
He said, “I was in National Redemption Party (NRC), Alliance for Democracy (AD) and zero party, but in all these places, I have not seen the manifestation of indiscipline as it is witnessed in the PDP presently.” Salvador, a delegate to the 2014 national conference promised those who intend to contest the forthcoming local government and other elections that the party will be transparent and ensure a level playing field for all the aspirants.
“I, Moshood Salavador would not ask any aspirant to give me kobo, because we are going to conduct the most transparent and very democratic party primaries in the state.” He further appealed to members to pay their monthly dues which would help the party meet its financial obligations. The party declared its support for the caretaker committee of the party led by Ahmed Makarfi, former governor of Kaduna State.
Unlike the previous general meeting of the party in March and April, notable leaders of the party like Chief Bode George and Senator Adeseye Ogunleye were absent in the last meeting. While some observers believe the decision to stay away may not be unconnected with the ongoing crisis rocking the party at the national level which has its effect on the state chapter of the party, a chieftain of the party said the party leaders could not make it to the meeting due to scheduling difficulties. He added that are solidly behind Salvador’s leadership and had sent in representatives to the meeting.