News2023: Lagos PDP And The Task Ahead

2023: Lagos PDP And The Task Ahead

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January 02, (THEWILL) – The reins of power from the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), come 2023. It is on record that since the return of democracy in 1999, the PDP has not for once won the governorship election in the state. The party’s greatest achievement in the struggle for political control of Lagos was when it secured eight seats in the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015. It also won three seats in the Federal House of Representative in that year.

However, there is renewed hope among the leaders of the PDP in its chances of victory at the 2023 governorship poll in Lagos. Their confidence is boosted by the recent defection of a vocal faction of the APC, known as the Lagos 4 Lagos Movement, to the PDP.

Led by Abdulazeez Olaide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, the Lagos 4 Lagos Movement had before the defection openly condemning the alleged manipulation of APC congresses conducted at the ward, local government and state levels by the leadership of the APC. A few weeks ago, members of the group were formally admitted to the PDP by former Senate President, Bukola Saraki. Thereafter, group met with PDP leaders in Lagos State led by former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George.

However, the leader of the PDP in the South-West and Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde, after consulting with other state governors in the party, advised that Jandor and his followers should be welcomed into the party in an elaborate ceremony. The reception has been scheduled for Tuesday January 11, 2022 in Lagos and all the 13 PDP governors in the country will be in attendance.

Speaking while welcoming the Lagos 4 Lagos Movement into his office in Lagos penultimate Thursday, Chief George said, “There are new stirrings everywhere in our nation today. In this season of goodwill, a touch of renewal and rebirth can be perceived in the air. Beyond the usual bustle and gaiety that trail the Christmas season, there is also the feverish movement of partisan activities.

“Here in Lagos, our party, the Peoples Democratic Party is welcoming a new infusion of massive decampees from the crumbling All Progressives Congress led by Mr Abdulazeez Olajide Adediran, popularly called Jandor.

“We welcome Mr Adediran and his thousands of followers, who have decided to abandon the sinking and blighted ship of the APC for a renewed, energised, invigorated and forward-looking PDP.

“Let it be known by all and sundry that the strength of all political parties resides precisely in their population. The more, the merrier. A good political party does not turn people away. It embraces everyone who can contribute to the progress of the party. The great founder of modern China, Ma Zedong, put it appropriately when he observed in February 1957, in Peking, now called Beijing, during a fiery contention in the communist fold. Chairman Mao had said, “Let a thousand flowers bloom. This is logical, appropriate, valid and genuine, wherever we seek progress and development.

“Mao’s ultimate logic is about democratic contention of ideas and the beauty of plural contributions. Ideas must contest. Multiple opinions must be heard. Visions must clash before we arrive at the compromise of the peace of the round table.

“For those of us who are already in the PDP in Lagos, let us welcome the new entrants with warm and open embrace. They are coming to add value to our party. We know who the enemy is. We know those who are despoiling the riches of our state. We know the man who is carting away N9 billion every 30 days from our collective coffers. There is no need for unnecessary enmity. There is no need to feel threatened about our new members. We must work together to achieve victory. Everyone will be given a level ground to achieve their aspirations. Politics is always a game of number.

“We can only strengthen ourselves when we embrace and encourage those who are joining our team and sincerely work with them to take our state back from the prodigal mismanagers. I believe our people will troop out in their thousands to welcome Mr Adediran and his followers, when they make their official declaration in January, 2022.

“No one should feel threatened about the thousands of people who are joining us. The umbrella is big enough to give us all effective protection and salvaging refuge”.

Also speaking at the reception, the Convener of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, Abdulazeez Olajide Adediran, has vowed to win Lagos in 2023 if given the PDP governorship ticket.

He, however, said he was ready to subject himself to “a fair contest” in the struggle for the governorship ticket of the PDP.

He thanked members of the party for welcoming him, stressing that he left the APC with his members because of a leadership problem.

“Where we were coming from, we were orphans, but the PDP has given us a home and saved us from being orphans. We are very grateful for the warm reception.

“We will change the government of Lagos State in 2023. We are ready to subject ourselves to fair contest. We came to PDP to combine strength to take over power. We will put our popularity to test. We were lonely and naked where we were coming from. PDP has clothed us and we feel at home,” Jandor said.

He also disclosed that his group had found out why the PDP failed to win the past governorship elections in the state, saying it was due to the fact that members of the PDP failed to deliver their polling booths to the party.

“Things will have to change. We are determined to win Lagos State and all the members of our new party must work toward that goal,” he said.

The question on the lips of political observers, analysts and social commentators is this: How far can the PDP go in 2023?

Will the party be able to defeat the APC in Lagos, for the first time, and take over the Alausa Oval House in Ikeja?

Speaking with THEWILL, a public affairs commentator, Kayode Somolu, said that wresting political power from the APC in Lagos would be a difficult task for the PDP. “But you can’t rule out anything in politics. 2023 is still far away and if PDP and its leaders can be more serious and ensure they blocked the usual leakages of their strategy to the ruling party, it may spring a surprise, come 2023”, he said.

Also speaking with THEWILL, a member of the Campaign for Democracy, Mr Segun Adio, said the defection of members of Lagos4Lagos Movement to the PDP was not enough to guarantee victory for the PDP at the 2023 governorship election in Lagos.

Adio noted that while the crisis resulting from the APC congresses might affect the party in future elections, it would not be to the extent of losing the governorship election.

“I can see the PDP gaining more seats in the state house of assembly and even the House of Representatives, but not to the level of winning the governorship seat,” he added.

But, speaking exclusively with THEWILL, George says it is possible. “We can win the Lagos governorship election if the Independent National Electoral Commission and the APC government in the state allow free and fair election. We pray they give us a level playing field. We are going to surprise the APC in 2023,” he said.

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AYO ESAN, has been actively reporting and analyzing political events for different newspapers for over 18 years. He has also successfully covered national and state elections in Nigeria since the inception of this democracy in 1999.

Ayo Esan, THEWILLhttps://thewillnews.com
AYO ESAN, has been actively reporting and analyzing political events for different newspapers for over 18 years. He has also successfully covered national and state elections in Nigeria since the inception of this democracy in 1999.

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