The Concerned PDP League (CPDPL) has vehemently faulted the argument put forward by Hon. Oluwole Busayo Oke, on why the leadership of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), should cede the position of the minority leader to the South West against Hon. Ogundu Kingsley Chinda, a popular and favoured contender for the position from the South-South.
If you recall vividly, some members-elect led by Hon. Wole Oke, in a letter on Friday to the Acting National Chairman, argued that the PDP NWC and Leaders should not destroy PDP by rewarding ex-Gov. Nyesom Wike, (Hon. O. K. Chinda’s principal) with the Minority Leader slot, after he(Wike) rebelled against the party and cost them the Presidential election.
They also posit that for Justice and equity, the Minority Leadership, should be zoned to the South West because, the position of Minority Leader in the 8th and 9th House of Representatives was occupied by Hon. Leo Ogor and Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, respectively and both are from the South-South zone of the country.
However, while reacting to the claims of Hon. Wole Oke and a few elected members from the South West in a viral video sighted by our reporter, the Concerned PDP League (CPDPL) Leader, Comrade D. Z. Warmate, said, “If we are to choose based on the argument put forward by Hon. Oke, he (Oke) has successfully and technically disqualified himself and the entire South West from the position.”
“Because under PDP, the South West has produced former speaker Patricia Olubunmi Foluke Etteh from same Osun state with Hon. Wole Oke, and Hon. Dimeji Bankole from Ogun state in the 6th Assembly; Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola from Oyo State served as majority leader in the 7th assembly. The South-West also held principal positions in the 4th,5th,8th, and 9th Assembly, and if we take the counting across party line, it will be too numerous to mention, Comrade Warmate said.”
He said, “PDP’s victory in Osun state in both the Governorship and Presidential election can majorly be attributed to the effort of the Adeleke’s family and not PDP how much more or less Hon. Oke.
On the issue of former Gov. Wike rebelling against the party and its defeat in the Presidential election, he ask, “Is Hon. Oke telling us that, it was because he rebelled against the party in 2015 and 2019 that was why we lost the Presidential election in his home state of Osun in those years?”
“So when the leaders of the party rewarded Hon. Oke who couldn’t deliver his home state of Osun for PDP in the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections and the party was not destroyed right. If they repeat it now again, it will not also destroy the party, claimed by Hon. Oke.”
Comrade Warmate, however, gave reasons why his group is solidly behind Hon. Chinda and is campaigning vigorously for him.
“We took note of Hon. O. K. Chinda since the later part of the 8th Assembly. He demonstrated boldness and courage, spokes in defense of the opposition party and Nigerians that was how and why he caught our fancy. His voice was so strong and loud to the point that ordinary members of PDP and citizens on the street heard it.”
“Hon. O. K. Chinda has the bolls and all the trappings of an opposition leader, hence our support for him. He said”
Comrade Warmate further said, “Right now the cap fits Hon. O. K. Chinda as the minority leader and in addition to the bulk sms we have sent to our esteem members elect, we want to use this medium to plead with you to vote Hon. O. K. Chinda come Tuesday 13th June 2023.”
“That Hon. O. K. Chinda is our best bet to having a strong opposition voice on the floor of the green chambers. He is the reliable voice we can trust.”
He berated Hon. Oke saying, “You can’t come under the gais of your feeble argument and blackmail to force the party to give you the position. You are not fighting for the South West but for yourself, he alleged.”
We don’t want people that just want to occupy a position for the sake of it, but be very ready to carry the responsibility and liability that goes with the office.
