Some unhappy members of the Oyo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Oyo East local government have marched to the office of the Oyo state governor to air their pain after the move alleged to have been an order from Governor Seyi Makinde allegedly authorizing the party to seek adoption of consensus approach instead of utilising party primaries to select candidates for the next local government election.
Mr Lukman Adeyanju, who spoke on behalf of the agitated protesters at the governor’s office, secretariat, Ibadan, was dazed on why party members who have fulfilled all the laid down requirements to contest the party primaries would be mandated to use consensus for candidacy.
The PDP members who were chanting different songs of protest in the Yoruba language, in English they meant “We demand party primaries” cautioned the governor to undermine the patience of party members emphasizing that there would be political consequences if such a move is not immediately overturned.
Despite all the agitation, they still applauded Makinde for all his outstanding policies and programs since he resumed office as the executive governor of the state.
They stated that the next local government election would be Makinde’s first capability test to deepen internal democracy. They further appealed to the governor not to trample on the patience of party members who are already prepared for the local government primaries across the 33 local government.
Remember that PDP after conducting screening and cleared successful aspirants, released a statement that implied the adoption of consensus to produce its party candidates.
Other protesters who spoke to the governor’s office correspondents asserted that anything outside of party primaries will be devastating.
The Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde, Chief Bisi Ilaka, in his short address to the bitter protesters called for calm and convinced them that nobody’s resolve will be trampled on.
He further advised them to go to the party for further mutual engagement remarking that the Governor and government of the state will not do anything contrary to the will of the people.
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