Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is a unifier capable of ensuring unity, but Senator Iyorchia Ayu must step down as the party’s national chairman.
Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, made the declaration today while speaking at the interactive session Atiku held with the South-West PDP Stakeholders.
The interactive session was held at the Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, University Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
Governor Makinde debunked the report that he is the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, saying his Sokoto State counterpart, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, is the holder of the position.
Speaking both in English and Yoruba languages, he described Atiku as “the incoming president of Nigeria in 2023”, but added, “now is the critical moment for us to talk.”
Makinde said: “There is a Yoruba saying that ‘when you and you have brothers who have gone into an enclosure and they came out smiling, there is every likelihood that they are not truthful to themselves.
“‘But if they enter into a room and they came out frowning at each other, they must have told themselves the truth’.
“Now is the time to speak the truth to ourselves,” he said. “We have challenges in our party; we have issues to be addressed. But what thing is that we have the capacity to address the issues,” he added.
Governor Makinde said: “The truth is that we do not have any issue, either with our party or our candidate. If there are challenges they must be tabled.
“The main issue is to ensure how to get to our destination. It is not about individuals. The issue of our National Convention has happened and is behind us.
“But is there any issue?”, he asked and added, “Yes, and it shall be addressed. Integrity and honour must be part of our pysche in the PDP.
“We are supposed to give hope to our people. We want them to listen to us.Our party wants to rescue Nigeria and our candidate is a unifier. He wants to restructure Nigeria
“Eight years of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have left us sharply divided. The issue is we must practice what we preach. If we want to unify Nigeria, we must unify the PDP first.
“If we want to restructure Nigeria, we must have the willingness to bring inclusivity to the PDP. Do we have the capacity? The answer is a resounding yes.
“The South-West PDP is is asking that the that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP should be restructured to carry along all zones in the country.
“We are asking the PDP national chairman to step down so that the South will be fully included. That is the message.”
The PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who took over the microphone after he was introduced by Senator Dino Melaye, acknowledged the issues raised by Governor Makinde.
He said all that Makinde asked for are doable and achievable. He added a caveat, however, that they can only be done if there are changes in the PDP Constitution, its rule and regulations and operational system.
“What Governor Makinde is asking for is achievable in all ramifications. But these can be done if we can effect changes in the party’s constitution, our rules and regulations and the way the party operates.
“We must not lose the focus of our being here. We are here to interact on how to win the 2023 elections. The focus is how to win the next elections.
“They are all doable, achievable and we have the capacity. Before now, we only have Oyo, but today we have Osun State in the kitty.
“With what I saw in Lagos yesterday (Tuesday) and today in Ibadan, we can win the elections, if we want to.
“We took over all the states in the South-West in 2003, except Lagos. I want to assure you that we can win all the states in the South-West in the 2023 elections.
“The era of ballot snatching is over because there has been a great improvement in the electoral process.
“The people asked for and voted for change. And they have seen the change now. It is time for us to return the PDP back to power,” Atiku said.
Other party leaders present at the meeting spoke glowingly about the ability of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as a unifier, bridge-builder and as a candidate who has the anti-dote to the various problems confronting the country.
Among those present were the PDP acting national chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagun; PDP vice presidential candidate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State; Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; Senator Abdul Ningi; and former Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
Also present were Osun State governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke; Honourable Ladi Adebutu; Lagos PDP governorship candidate, Olajide Adediran and his deputy, Funke Akindele; former Governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Ayo Fayose and Liyel Imoke; former Ekiti State deputy governors Sikiru Tae Lawal and Professor Kolapo Eleka.
Former Governor Babangida Aliyu (of Niger State); Senator Abiodun Olujimi; Senator Lee Maeba; Alhaji Muazu Ali; Dr Raymond Dokpesi; Dr Jide Adeniji; Dr Eddy Olafeso; Senator Uzamere; Honourable Adesegun Adekoya and Fola Adewusi, among other national and zonal leaders, were also present at the meeting.
