The Coalition of Genuine PDP Members from all 33 local government areas of Oyo State has strongly criticized a recent directive issued by Hon. Akeem Olatunji, Executive Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, to party members in the area.
The coalition, comprising representatives from Ibadan, Ibarapa, Oyo, Ogbomoso, and Oke-Ogun zones, held an emergency meeting to address the matter.
Hon. Olatunji, at a recent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) meeting in Oluyole, reportedly instructed party members to cease attending gatherings held by groups supporting governorship aspirants within the local government area. This directive, which was issued in the presence of a few PDP leaders, has been described by the coalition as “pathetic” and “undemocratic.
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In a press release signed by Comrade Akinyemi Babatunde Quadri, Coordinator of the Coalition, the group expressed deep concern over Hon. Olatunji’s pronouncement. They emphasized their commitment to the growth of PDP in Oyo State and condemned the chairman’s remarks as an attack on the party’s internal democracy.
**Condemnation of Anti-Democratic Actions**
The coalition’s statement read: “We view with all concern and seriousness the vituperation of Oluyole Executive Chairman, Hon. Akeem Olatunji, regarding the unfortunate warning to esteemed PDP members to desist from attending meetings of governorship aspirants. We condemn in totality the statement as undemocratic and an attempted destruction of the internal democracy of the PDP.”
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The group further noted that the PDP remains Africa’s largest democratic party, and members have the right to freedom of association, a right they believe has been violated by Hon. Olatunji’s directive.
**Defense of Governorship Aspirants’ Rights**
The coalition also defended the right of rumored governorship aspirants, including Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, also known as “Odidi Omo,” to freely express their intentions to succeed Governor Seyi Makinde in 2027. They warned that Olatunji’s statement could discourage other would-be aspirants from joining the PDP and pursuing their political ambitions.
“It is not within the rights of an Executive Chairman of a Local Government to issue instructions on behalf of the party,” the group stated, accusing Hon. Olatunji of abusing his power and undermining the authority of the PDP’s leadership in Oyo State.
**Call for Governor Makinde’s Intervention**
The coalition has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene and instruct Hon. Olatunji to retract his statement. They expressed confidence in Governor Makinde’s commitment to internal democracy and rejected any suggestion that the governor would impose a successor on the party.
“We appeal to our Executive Governor Oluseyi Makinde to call Hon. Akeem Olatunji to order and instruct him to retract such a statement, which is capable of affecting the expansion of our dear party,” the statement read.
**Continued Mobilization and Solidarity**
In conclusion, the coalition urged PDP members in Oluyole and across Oyo State to continue their mobilization efforts and attend meetings without fear of intimidation. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the party and prayed for its success at both the state and national levels during this challenging period.
The statement ended with a rallying cry: “PDP! Power to the People!”
