THE crisis rocking the Lagos State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have come in the open as the party chairman, Hon. Moshood Salvador and the publicity secretary, Mr Taofik Gani on Wednesday were involved in a war of words over recent signing into Law of Bill for Promotion of Yoruba Language in schools across the state.
The PDP Chairman, Salvador, had in a statement made available to newsmen declared the party’s support for the new law passed by the State House of Assembly, denying that the PDP ever kicked against efforts at promoting the Yoruba Language.
Salvador was reacting to an earlier statement released on Monday by the party’s spokesperson, Gani, who had warned against hasty misapplication of the Yoruba Language Preservation and Promotion Law 2018, especially as it could send the message that non-Yorubas were alienated in the state’s tertiary education opportunities.
“As the face of the PDP in Lagos State, I wish to state unequivocally that we are supportive of everything that will promote Yoruba Language, culture and tradition.
“Yorubas are particularly lucky to have a very rich language and unique culture which have been universally acknowledged.
“This is a language that many people across the world even spend their resources to learn while Yoruba proverbs are also unique in all ramifications.
“As a committed Afenifere and Treasurer of the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), I want to say on behalf of the PDP in Lagos, that the party fully supports the teaching and enforcement of Yoruba in our schools in view of its many advantages to our youths and future generation,” Salvador stated.
But the party spokesperson, Gani, in his immediate reaction restated that he had not condemned the promotion of Yoruba Language, but had only shown concern about the alienation of non-Yorubas, especially in a cosmopolitan set up as Lagos State.
“For sake of clarity, I have not condemned the promotion of Yoruba Language and that is well obvious in the press release. I have only shown concern about the alienation of non-Yorubas, especially in a cosmopolitan set up as Lagos State,” he said.
Gani, however, expressed disappointment with the party chairman, Hon. Salvador, for usurping his duties as PDP spokesperson under the guise of correcting a perspective put across to the media.
He contended that should the need arise, there must have been consultation and clarification with the officer concerned based on the provisions of PDP Constitution.
According to him, “By the combined provisions of Sections 40 (1 a,b,c) & 46(1), and being the legitimate publicity secretary of the state, I am empowered, exclusively, to cause to be publicised the policies and programmes of the party in line with the aims and objectives of the party.’
“It is naivety for any other officer to assume such role without my due acquiescence,” he said.
Speaking essentially on Salvador, the PDP spokesperson said, “At this juncture, let me state that it is notorious fact that the state chairman, has a penchant for always provoking acrimony in a system. The unfortunate experience of our candidates under the PDP-Labour Party alliance for the LG polls is still fresh.
“For sure this is another clandestine move deliberately provoked to lead this EXCO and Party to failure. May God Forbid.”
and then