The electoral committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which monitored the local government primaries in Oyo State has declared that the process was free, fair and credible.
Chairman of the panel, Senator Abdul Ningi, who spoke at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, the state capital, when his committee presented its report to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, said that the committee was impressed by the conduct of the primaries.
Senator Ningi, who led members of the panel to the Government House, said that the electioneering procedure was satisfactory to the committee.
Governor Makinde, in his response said that party leaders should also ensure unity among all members of the party.
According to Ningi, “so far so good, the electioneering process is satisfactory to us as a committee, and this is among the very best local government primaries that I have attended. I am satisfied, especially with the openness of the state government and the party.
“We discovered there was a free and fair election because we went round the metropolis. We went to the outskirts of the city to witness the local council election and we are satisfied with what we have seen.”
He said that Governor Makinde allowed them to do their work without any hindrances, while also thanking the national headquarters of the PDP for sending them to conduct the primaries in the state.
He also urged party members to eschew violence and desperation that can affect the oneness of the party.
“Your emergence as the governor and a leader in the PDP, is a testimony to the services you have rendered to this state. Your Excellency, we are happy that you have accorded us reasonable hospitality. We thank you and the party for giving us access to all the discussions. We thank the national headquarters for sending us to come to Oyo to conduct the primaries. Our party members should eschew violence and desperation.”
Contingent, he said the PDP views the state as very strategic in the South West, adding that the party wanted to create opportunities for people to make sure there is a sense of belonging.
He maintained that his committee ensured that all those that need to know are aware that it was around for the assignment.
“We partook in the consultation between the committee set up by the state and the party and we are satisfied.
“Where we discovered gaps, we called the attention of the leadership of the party to it and it did the needful. Truth is, we cannot satisfy everybody. There will always be losers and winners.”
*Similarly, the Secretary of the Committee………, said: “We want complete harmony, oneness and the spirit of give and take . This state is the anchoring state of our party in the South West and the governor is doing wonderfully well.* *”Honestly, we had the opportunity to move around Oyo State. The urbanization strategy is trail-blazing. The rural development is there. Road construction is there and many more. So, the governor is really doing well.”*
*He equally appealled to members, stakeholders, and leaders to come together and see the party as their own*.
*He said: “They must move closer to the governor and give him useful and tangible advice. 2023 is around the corner. We are moving to win the national. We will repeat our victory in Oyo State and add other states in the South West by the grace of God.”*
While recieving the report, Governor Makinde thanked the committee members for their commitment and dedication to duty.
“I just want to say thank you on behalf of our party and also the government and good people of Oyo State. We want to say thank you for being with us for one week. I am sure you planned for two or three days but you saw what was on ground and decided to do a thorough job, not minding other commitments that you may have had. So, we say thank you to your team for your commitment and dedication to duty.”
The governor appealed to aggrieved members of the party to eschew violence and come together to strengthen the party.
He explained that what the electoral committee has done was to set the foundation to deepen democracy in the state and set PDP on the path of consolidation particularly in Oyo State and South West in general.
“Incidentally, the governor recounted, “exactly this date, two years ago, 9th of March 2019, was the exact date we had the election that brought PDP back into Oyo State. And prior to March 2019, there was no PDP government in the Southwestern part of Nigeria. But on this date, history was made. And on this date, today, you presented the report of the electoral committee to us and what you have done is to, again, set the foundation to deepen democracy in our state and set PDP on the path of consolidation, in Oyo State in particular and South West in general.”
Governor Makinde then appealed to PDP members to accept the outcome of the elections with open minds, while also charging the leaders to find means of reconciling the aggrieved members, saying there are various positions to be occupied.
The governor said: “For some of our people that are aggrieved because of the outcome of this process, yes, it is only God that can give power to anybody. If it is not your turn today, it may be your turn tomorrow. But one thing we must not do is to pollute the well in which we may want to drink water from in the future.
“So, please it is time for us to begin the process of reconciliation. We must bring everyone together and ensure there are no victors nor losers.
“And to get to that position, our leaders have to come on board in various local government areas. Call those people that have been nominated as flag bearers for the party. “Call others as well. There are various positions that we still need to nominate people for. You have the vice-chairman, secretaries, supervisory councilors, councilors, Chief of Staff to the Chairman. You also have Special Assistants. All of these positions have to be filled. So, our leaders should find the means all across the state to bring everybody together.”
He asked party leaders to appeal to those that are dissatisfied because, according to him, only God gives power.
“To those our leaders that have not been satisfied, I want to say it is the same family. We all worked to bring this party together to bring about this government. We may have disagreements on certain issues but we should find those things that unite us. You may be dissatisfied with certain things but we can, at least, discuss.”
He added: , ‘As the governor of the state, I am appealing to our leaders to come together, look at those areas where we have differences and lay a solid foundation at the local government level. It is on top of the foundation that we will build the structure for the state, zone and our nation. So, I want to appeal that there is still room to discuss and accommodate everybody.
“To the party at the state level, I know the few days have been challenging but we thank you for what you have done on behalf of our party.”
He explained that the previous administration in the State did not conduct local government elections for seven years, adding, however, that the present administration has started the process of conducting election in less than two years.
He stated : “To the entire state, we are saying to you that PDP is back for good. Whereas, the previous administration could not conduct LG election in this state for more than seven years. But we have been here for less than two years and have set the ball rolling.
He equally added that his administration has funded OYSIEC very well and ensured it is
independent.
He said, ‘We funded OYSIEC. We ensured it is independent. The OYSIEC Chairman is not a card-carrying member of any political party. If they have any information to the contrary, let them bring it out. Truth is, this government is above board.
“So, we are here to consolidate on the achievements we have recorded so far and we solicit for your support as we move towards the conduct of state-wide LG election on the 15th of May 2021. So, I thank the National Chairman for giving us support and for sending this team. We could not have asked for a better team.”
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