Femi Ogbonnikan
The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saturday, frowned at what it described as an open romance between one of its members, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and a former governor of Lagos State and All Progressives Congress leader, Bola Tinubu describing it as not just anti-party but also a mockery of the defeat of the PDP in 2015, an election Tinubu played a key role.
Speaking against the background of a recent advertorial placed by Fayose to celebrate Tinubu’s 65th Birthday, the Lagos State PDP Chairman, Chief Segun Adewale described the romance between Fayose and Tinubu as unfortunate and a major blow on the confidence reposed in him by the grassroots members and supporters of the party.
Adewale, a former PDP Lagos West Senatorial aspirant in the 2015 elections, lamented in a press release, how some leaders of the party, including Fayose, have completely sold out to individuals within the ruling APC to the detriment of the PDP members.
“I am surprised that Governor Ayodele Fayose, the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, could throw cautions to the wind and rub his alleged alliance with the leadership of the ruling party in the South-west on our faces. As a leader and beneficiary of the PDP’s goodwill, I expect him to clearly understand and demonstrate that members and supporters are looking up to him and such unguided action demoralises them.
“No doubt Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu paid his dues towards the success of the APC in the last general election. He deserves the admiration of members of the ruling party for providing a responsible leadership within his party. I want to advise Governor Fayose to emulate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s team spirit and respect for party organs in his dealings within the PDP and not embark on actions that may further demoralize our members.
“The political sagacity of Tinubu is worthy of study by upcoming politicians.
However, open acknowledgement of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s doggedness that saw our party out of power in 2015 is a mockery on the PDP,” the Lagos PDP Chairman said.
Continuing, Adewale stated that the attendance of Fayose, in company with other APC leaders, at the inauguration of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, some weeks ago, was an affront on the South-west PDP leadership, while he neglected the welcome party and Thanksgiving service organised by the good people of Ondo Kingdom in honour of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
“Unequivocally, the said advertorial is a confirmation of Governor Fayose’s anti-party activities that have fully come to the fore. I wonder how the APC would have viewed such advertorial for former President Goodluck Jonathan by former Governor Fashola or Governor Aregbesola, for instance, in the build-up to the 2015 general election.
“Even during the First or Second Republic, no opposition leader openly embraced Pa Obafemi Awolowo despite Awo’s popularity, achievements and sagacity. The fact that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has done very well for himself and his political party is not an excuse for Governor Fayose’s demonstration of impunity and disregard to party’s loyalty.
“It is an aberration for Governor Fayose to publicly acknowledge the role played by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in destroying the PDP that made Fayose what he is today. It is impossible to also forget the role played by Asiwaju Tinubu in the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari as the president, a decision that has brought untold economic hardship on Nigerians.
“Obviously, the choice of President Muhammadu Buhari wasn’t in the interest of the people but for personal aggrandisement of a few politicians,” he said, appealing to the PDP members to remain steadfast, because the storm would be over soon.
