PDP Ward Congress: No Parallel Exercise In Oyo- Phillip Shaibu •Makinde Says Aggrieved Members Should Allow For Resolution
Chairman of the ward congress of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Ward Congress Committee in Oyo State, Honourable Phillip Shaibu, has said his committee did not notice any parallel congress in the state, adding that the exercise has been “so peaceful.”
This was as the state governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, sued for peace and unity in the party in the state and called on aggrieved members to give room for resolution of any form of dispute.
Shaibu, who is the deputy governor of Edo State, said: “So far, so good, all the talks of having parallel election has not been noticed and what is key today is that the process has been peaceful.
“[There is] No report of any violence anywhere and that is one thing we have been afraid of since yesterday”, adding thay the party will settle all internal issues among its members amicably.
The Edo deputy governor said: “Interestingly, all through the night, we were having discussions and phone calls to some of them that feel aggrieved.
“We will settle our internal issues and I am happy that we are already discussing. We are here to do the right thing and to conduct a free, fair and credible Congress.”
Meanwhile, Governor Makinde, speaking at Ward 11, Ibadan North-East Local Government Area of the state, said he was happy that the people are excited about the ruling party (PDP) in the state.
As contained in a release by his media aide, Taiwo Adisa, the governor said: “I see excitement with the people. They want to be participants in the democratic process to select their leaders to run the affairs of the party at the ward level. So, for me, it is democracy in action.
“And also with the fact that we have been in government slightly above two years now, the people are still excited about their party. It is something that calls for celebration for us.
“Well, the exercise today went peacefully. I expect other congresses to be peaceful as well. Everywhere around the state, the people are excited because they are getting dividends of democracy. So, I believe the excitement is all over the state.”
He tasked members of the PDP in the state to stay united, adding that the time has come for the aggrieved members to bring their grievances to the table for amicable resolution.
Makinde added: “For the PDP members in Oyo State, I want to ask them to stay unified because we can do quite a lot in unity.
“And for some who are angry or aggrieved, let them bring their issues to the table, we will address them. Politics is about conflict and resolution of conflict within interaction of people.”
The governor maintained that the PDP has come to stay in the state, and assured that the party would soon take over power at the federal level.
“So, we are not ruling out making overtures to them and getting them also to be a part of this process. This is because the PDP is here to stay in Oyo State and the PDP is also poised to take over power at the gederal level. So, you don’t leave a winning team,” Makinde said.
