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NWC considers zoning, consensus
Ahead of the Ondo State governorship election in November, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has attributed the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) loss in the last election in 2020 to disunity and division within the party.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting between members of the party from Ondo State and the National Working Committee (NWC) at the PDP National headquarters in Abuja, Makinde said they have learned from their experience in 2020.
Makinde stated, “We learned from the last governorship election. Actually, you learn more when you fail than when you succeed. So, we learned bitter lessons.
“For the benefit of everybody, the governorship election in Ondo State is not going to be handed over to anybody. It will be a fight. As PDP, we will fight.
“If, four years ago, we had that division within us that allowed the seat to slip away from us. At this time, we are united and we will stay united to the election. So, this is a time for us to come together.
“We may disagree on a few things but from our situation in the Oyo State. Yes, we have disagreements, but we’re solving our problems even as we speak. We’re not solving it outside. We’re solving it right inside the Government House.”
On his part, the acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum, stated that the party is considering zoning and consensus as part of its strategy to win the upcoming election later this year.
Damagum urged the governorship aspirants to conduct their campaigns in an orderly manner.
He said, “This meeting is part of the fulfilment of the process of the primaries that is before us, and we invited you here so that we’ll have an interactive session.”
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, who addressed journalists after the meeting, confirmed that the issue of consensus is on the table. He added, “conversation is ongoing when it comes to the issue of consensus.”
He also disclosed that the NWC was open to all the aspirants, stating “What was paramount is that the PDP is a Democratic Party and respects its constitution. We agreed we will, in every action that we take going forward in this process, let the constitution be our guide.
“The Governor of Oyo State has shown commitment to be part of that process. We expect to have several other meetings going forward. The NWC confirms to every member that there will be a free, transparent process leading to whoever becomes the candidate from our primary election.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set November 16, as the scheduled date for the Ondo State Governorship election, with the PDP also setting April 25, for its primary.
