ADC, SDP no threat to PDP —Odeyemi

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Diran Odeyemi, speaks with KUNLE ODEREMI on the chances of the PDP against th background of the building alliances in other opposition parties.

 

WHAT does the rising profile of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) portend for the chances of the PDP, especially in the battle for the South-West?

The PDP is not in any way threatened by the emergence of these two political parties and what is being regarded as a rising profile is nothing but a media hype and the euphoria associated with anything that is new. In as much as the membership of the party will be drawn from Nigerians and not elsewhere, we have no problem with the parties simply because we all have a common opponent in President Muhammadu Buhari and his party All Progressives Congress (APC). Don’t be surprised if at the end of the day, we all come together for the purpose of sending the APC and Buhari away in 2019. Having said that, the PDP is a big political party and unique in its operations. It remains the only party in Nigeria that has never changed its name. Therefore, it remains the party to beat; repositioned and rebranded by the new national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus to triumph over any political party, whether old or new.

 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed PDP and APC as a political liability. So, Nigerians should look beyond the two in subsequent election. Don’t you think the ‘Oracle’ has spoken, given the role he has been playing in presidential contests since 2007?

Baba Obasanjo is only marketing his new political party to Nigerians and in doing so, you don’t expect him to praise any of the existing parties. Logically, therefore, the oracle is not saying anything new but exactly what is expected as a form of campaign for acceptance. Even at that, Nigerians have been asking: At what point did PDP become a “liability” if he (Obasanjo) was a two-term president in the party and was instrumental to the emergence of his successors from 2007 up until the last election where he supported his fellow military man, President Buhari. Nigerians are already asking: What does Baba want?  But they will answer with their PVCs on the Election Day. Nigerians are not gullible; they will ask for reasons why they should entrust their future in an unknown and untested ADC that is populated by aggrieved politicians from other existing political parties. We will all work together at the appropriate time to confront our common opponent, the APC.

 

What are the chances of your party in first, the June 24, 2018 governorship poll in Ekiti State, and second, in Osun, in view of the factor of federal might, which PDP also capitalised on while in government? Remember the PDP has also been given the stigma of corruption? 

Nigerians have demystified whatever is known as power of incumbency or federal might as you referred. They are now politically conscious and will stand by their votes. Part of the legacy of PDP is giving meaning to democratic tenets as practised in civilised countries. We lost Osun State when we had President Goodluck Jonathan who also lost the presidency? Rigging elections is preparatory to getting roasted and I am sure nobody will be willing to die for any politician again in this country. Governor Ayo Fayose has done marvelously well in Ekiti and so will deliver Ekiti for PDP. Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s woeful performance in Osun has done the campaign for PDP and the confidence is there that on September 22, this year, the PDP will win Osun. Regarding the issue of corruption, I challenge the APC to tell Nigerians why they have not been able to jail any PDP leader since the commencement of their cheap blackmail and witch-hunt. The truth is that all perceived corrupt leaders have changed from being PDP members and are now saints as APC leaders. So, the PDP has repositioned, rebranded and reformed, no blackmail will stop our winning strides.

 

As a stakeholder in Osun politics, and the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, you should be interested in who becomes PDP governorship candidate in September. Why has the PDP national headquarters anointed Senator Demola Adeleke for the ticket? On what basis, as the issue is generating controversy among most caucuses in PDP?

That 14 aspirants are hustling for PDP ticket in Osun is an indication that PDP is a vibrant platform under the chairmanship of Soji Adagunodo. Luckily for the party, all the aspirants that have expressed interest in gubernatorial position with no exception are intellectually sound and politically experienced to rule Osun State. Delegates at the primary election will chose whoever they prefer on the 14th of July and their collective choice will be my candidate. I can tell you boldly that in PDP, the era of impunity and imposition has been eradicated by Prince Secondus. A demonstration of this was the congress held to elect party officers in Osun against all odds and the recently free and fair primary election in Ekiti, despite the fact that Governor Ayo Fayose was the chairman of PDP Governors Forum. He could not anoint his deputy but still went through rigours of primary election with Prince Dayo Adeyeye and Senator Olujimi. Unlike before when candidates are dictated or anointed from Abuja, nobody will be imposed in Osun. There will be free, fair and transparent primary. I hope this answers your question about Senator Ademola Adeleke. Nobody in Osun has been anointed as governorship candidate; neither will any aspirant be favoured; delegates as outlined in PDP constitution will decide.