Kemi Olaitan writes that the defection of former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Shina Peller, from Accord party to Peoples Democratic Party may turn out to be a game changer in the Pace Setter state.
Between the last general elections held early in 2023, series of political activities and events have continued to happen in virtually all the states of the country including Oyo, the pace setter state.
The politicians who are always optimists virtually everyday intensified efforts to position themselves for the 2027 polls which is more than three years away.
While those elected in the elections from the pace setter state are doing everything possible to entrench themselves in the hearts of the people through delivery of democracy dividends, however the defection last Thursday from Accord party to the ruling the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of Hon Shina Peller, a former member of the House of Representatives who represented Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency, between 2019 and 2023, alongside other party leaders and supporters from the 13 local government areas of Oyo North senatorial district, to political watchers could not but have implications.
The former lawmaker who was elected under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but defected to Accord before the last election and clinched the Oyo North senatorial district ticket, while addressing the mammoth crowd that thronged the Ojude Oba, Iseyin, venue of the ceremony, attributed his defection and that of his followers to the PDP to the developmental strides and the visionary leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, pledging their unalloyed support for the continuity of dividends of democracy in Oke Ogun and the state in general through the governor who he lauded for his laudable project and linking all the zones together through road infrastructure.
His words, “My decision to join PDP is hinged on the good performance of Governor Makinde’s administration. As you know, politics is always about interests; either by people’s interest, religious interest or personal interest. But I have not taken this decision because of personal interest, to me, the most important thing to protect in politics is the interest of the people, who are the majority.
“Today, I can say that I am speaking for the people of Oke-Ogun/Ogbomoso South/Ogbomoso North and Oriire, which make up the Oyo North Senatorial District. We have seen the reasons to align with the vision of an amiable leader, Governor Makinde.
“Our land is blessed with so many resources both human resources and natural mineral resources, but these resources failed to bring positive results over the years because of bad leadership until Governor Makinde came on board.
“As I always say, there is no leadership when there is no vision, Governor Makinde is a visionary. The Omituntun 2.0 is a clear vision that is for the people to prosper. He is someone that pays so much attention to the interest of the masses and it is for this reason that we have decided to join hands with the governor and the members of the great party, PDP.
“Truly a lot of people know that I am a progressive and I have told them that I have come to PDP for power, because I need power to progress, so my people as we join PDP today, I pray to God Almighty for our presence to bring greatness, prosperity for the people of Oyo state in general.”
Taking a swipe at his erstwhile political party, APC, the Iseyin-born politician cum businessman, said the APC rejected him for being too small but he has found himself where he is valued.
He said, “When I wanted to contest the Senatorial election in the All Progressives Congress (APC), they said we are too small but I thank God, today we are in the right party, a big party. If you look at the Nigeria of today, we are so endowed, but leadership is our problem. Nigeria is endowed with both human and natural resources but these resources have failed to translate to reality. So, there is no leadership when there is no leader. Makinde is visionary leader, that’s why I joined the party.
“I have seen the reason to align with the vision of Governor Makinde. There is no leadership when there is no vision. And we have seen good work he has done in this zone, Oke-Ogun. It has never happened in the history of Oyo North Senatorial district. From Moniya to Iseyin; Oyo to Iseyin; Ogbomoso to Iseyin and so on. It has never happened before. So, if you have a visionary leader like him, you have to support him. That’s why we have decided to join Governor Makinde and PDP to move the state forward.
“Our fathers have been clamouring for tertiary institution for the past 70 years and Makinde gave us and the same with infrastructural facilities. So, I want to announce that thousands of Accord Party members in the 13 local government areas made up of Oyo North Senatorial district are here. They are here to join PDP. Ward Chairmen; Local Government Chairmen; women leader and also Senatorial district chairman are all here to defect to the ruling PDP because of the visionary leadership quality of Makinde. I want to appeal to other political parties to join us to move the state forward, and I pray that we will not regret it.
“Some people came and asked: Why do I want to join PDP? And I said, I need power to move forward, I need power to progress, that’s why I join PDP.”
Makinde who was represented by the state deputy governor, Mr Bayo Lawal, while welcoming Peller and his supporters into the PDP, said the party will continue to wax stronger as, according to him, there is enough room for everyone to operate.
“I want to greet our party leaders and elders who are here at this event. Being progressive without power is zero but we want power in Iseyinland, Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso and Oyo State in general. This is why Shina Peller is joining the party that gives power to the people.
“When you are looking for something within a particular place and you didn’t get it, won’t you leave the place and go to another place where you can find it?
“I want to assure Peller that he and other followers won’t regret joining the PDP and a lot of benefits will come to them, undoubtedly.
“I want to urge the PDP members to join hands together with Peller and his followers for the progress of our party. Let us integrate and support them as we welcome them into our fold. We know the local government election is forthcoming and we want the PDP to win in all the polling units. So, I am happy to hand over the flag of the PDP to Peller at this moment.”
For political analysts in the pace setter state, the defection of Peller with his teeming supporters to the PDP all things being equal, would be nothing but a game changer for the former lawmaker and the party given his antecedents. Matter-of-factly, it is worth stating that with Peller in PDP and Makinde as governor, it cannot but help enhance the political fortune of Peller who is loved by the people of his federal constituency.
Despite losing the last senatorial election, political observers however believe the setback could not be used to determine his popularity as the outcome was a result of high wire politics to dwarf Peller’s high rising political profile.
Indeed, to the people of Oke Ogun where he comes from, Peller is a son in whom they are well pleased who will go higher in politics given the fact that he is seen as a role model by the youth who form the large percentage of the electorate.
Similarly, the existing bond between Peller and Makinde who is today regarded as God sent to the people of Oke Ogun will rub positively on Peller as the state and indeed the country march towards the 2027 elections. And with Peller himself maintaining that he defected to the PDP for power, political observers are of the view that the coming general election provides him an opportunity to bounce back politically through elective office given the fact that he is now in the ruling party in the state and a friend to the sitting governor who many believe would want to leave the stage for younger people like Peller.
