Ahead of the forthcoming local government election in Oyo State, the party leaders, and stakeholders of the People’s Democratic party, Ibadan South East local government chapter gathered on Saturday to strategize, mobilize support, and ensure victory for the Chairmanship candidate Emmanuel Alawode.
The event, which was hosted by the Honorable member representing Ibadan North East/South East Federal Constituency, who is also the Chairman, of the House Committee on Narcotic Drugs, Hon. Abass Adigun Agboworin, was held at the residence of Hon. Dare Adeleke, located at Aare Avenue, Oluyole Estate, Ibadan.
The meeting equally afforded the leaders to address several lingering issues causing disaffection among party members ahead of the poll.
Agboworin, while expressing support for the chairmanship and councillorship candidates, urged the party members to refrain from anti-party activities that could hinder the party’s victory at the poll, adding that “they should deliver the way they have always been delivering for the party.”
The Rep. Member, who equally used the opportunity of the event to appreciate the Governor of the State, Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde, for the giant role he played to make him secure second term victory at the House of Representatives, thanked the people for their support and love.
Assuring that he would continue to fulfill his electoral promises in the area of rolling out empowerment programmes for the youth constituency, he noted that, going forward, he would also organize special programs for elderly men and women.
He said: “I am happy to be here with you today in this meeting, which is aimed at focusing on how to deliver the candidate of the PDP on the forthcoming local government election in the state. I don’t want us to dwell on the internal crisis we have been battling but believe we can achieve a lot in unity.
“I faced a lot of battles to get reelected, which was a result of anti-party activities some aggrieved members perpetrated. We all know that despite that, the will of God prevailed even after going to court five times. But that is gone. I have won. God has vindicated me and I can now focus on moving forward.
“We want this meeting to continue as it won’t be a one-off thing. It is supposed to hold in my residence but, as part of a move to carry all our leaders along in the scheme of things, I felt we should be rotating it and that is why it is held here in one of the leader’s residences. And I want it to continue like that.
“As your federal representative, I will continue with what I am known for in the area of empowering my constituents. We are doing for the youths and, going forward, I will ensure our elderly ones including men and women are given the same opportunity to benefit from.”
Hon. Dare Adeleke, who was former Chairman of the Oyo Pacesetter Transport Service, PTS, and current Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Federal Constituency Matters, while also speaking at the event, commended Hon. Agboworin for being a major pillar of support for the party in the local government.
He equally appreciated party members for their love and dedication to the course of the PDP, urging them to work assiduously for the party in the local government election.
“I appreciate everyone for attending today’s meeting. First of all, I want to commend my brother, Hon Agboworin, for his consistent support of the party. Yes, he has been a pillar of support for us and He would have become a billionaire by now if he had not been reaching out to the people with the resources at his disposal.
“A lot of water has passed under the bridge and we don’t need to bore us with stories of the past. What we need to do now is to focus on the future by voting for the party but not individuals. You know we are working for the party. I can assure you that the grudges and internal crisis within the party will be settled soon.
“So, let me also assure you that the party will continue to make members happy and do what is right. Don’t allow anyone derail you and don’t give room for discouragement or wrong information from the camp aiming to divide us as a party,” He noted.
Another leader who also spoke at the event, Alhaji Basiru Ajibade, a member of the Advisory Council, emphasized unity and admonished members to shun division as well as deliver for the PDP.
While calling for full cooperation with the current Chairmanship candidate, vice Chairmanship candidate, and the Councillorship candidates in the forthcoming election, he requested that the party leadership set up a reconciliation committee, which he is ready to spearhead.
“Let us team up in the interest of the party’s candidate, not minding what naysayers are saying. We made a fatal mistake in the last election and we don’t want a repeat.
“We need to settle some internal differences in the interest of our survival towards the 2027 general election. We need to practically nip our internal crisis in the bud. Let us know that we are working for the party but not candidates.”
Also in attendance at the meeting were former PDP senatorial candidate of Oyo South, Hon. Mogaji Joseph Tegbe; former Special Assistant on federal constituency matters and the first Chairman of Ibadan South East LG, Hon. Yaya Akingbile; Hon. Abiodun Adedoja Ekolo; JP Adegoke; Alhaji Najeemdeen Abass; Barrister Rotimi Okeowo.
Others were Hon. Dayo; Alhaji Basiru Olasupo; Mr Ahmed Arapaja; Comrade Bade; Comrade Abass Balogun; Pa Razak Oloda; Comrade Ariyibi; Prince Akinbiyi; Baba Oloyin; Baba Jagun; Mrs Adewumi; Alhaji Hassan; Mr N.O Adegbenro; Engineer Ademola, as well as other party executives.
E-signed:
Media Team
January 28, 2024
