PDP can’t defeat Ajimobi with divided house –Nwosu
Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Appeal Panel, Prof. Alphonsus Nwosu, has warned members of the party in Oyo State to put their house in order or be prepared to lose the next governorship election.
He spoke on Monday, during the sitting of the panel at the PDP secretariat in Ibadan, where petitions against the conduct of the wards congress in the state were received by the panel from governorship aspirants in the state.
Nwosu, a former minister of health and governorship aspirant in Anambra State, expressed dissatisfaction over the irregularities that marred last Saturday’s ward congress, stressing that they had the capacity to weaken the party’s chances in the 2015 governorship election.
Senator Ayo Adeseun, Femi Babalola, Seyi Makinde, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, Kehinde Olaosebikan and Prof Soji Adejumo were the governorship aspirants who presented their petitions and complaints to the panel.
Another aspirant, Dr. Isaac Owolabi, was represented by a former Attorney General in the state, Abdulsalam Are. A former governor in the state, Adebayo Alao-Akala and former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin, who were also in the race, did not appear before the panel.
Nwosu said, “We thank the aspirants for the respect accorded us. The media reported that the conduct of the congress in Oyo State was not favourable. PDP is a family. So, no matter the evidence and petitions, let us remember that we are one. I assure you that we will resolve the problems and justice will be done. We will put our integrity to the fore. I suffered a similar injustice in our party so I know how it feels.
“You cannot defeat the incumbent governor of your state easily unless you put your house in order. You cannot do it with a divided family. So, do not fight as if there will be no tomorrow. Ayodele Fayose won in Ekiti because others supported him. Only the person that is wanted by the people will represent PDP in 2015. What is essential to this panel is that materials were not taken to the wards and in places where elections were conducted, they were done by party members.”
While promising that the report of the panel would be made known in 48 hours, Nwosu said the party’s integrity must take priority before any decision would be taken, adding that it would be difficult for anyone to influence him or any member of the panel. Others in the panel are Hamed Yaro and Mrs. Dooshiwa Alkali
Source: The Punch
