National Convention: Why PDP Govs Move Against Mark, Oyinlola

• A recent report indicates that the Peoples Democratic Party, are having a rethink in the sharing of key positions to former military officers
• The report noted that the party is interested in politicians who are keen on playing politics and were united in this regard, hence doing away with ex-generals
• Meanwhile, this decision by the opposition party was evident in their selection process of candidates at the just concluded national convention

A report by The Punch indicates that the thirteen governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), no longer prefer retired generals and ex-military officers in the sharing of executive positions.

According to the newspaper, sources explained that the party’s 13 governors were undivided in their conviction that it was time to allow politicians to play politics and do away with ex-generals.

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Meanwhile, weeks before the PDP national convention, the governors had agreed on a former president of the Senate, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, as the consensus candidate for the national chairmanship position against an ex-Senate President, David Mark, who is a retired general.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, who had supported a former Osun state governor, Brig-Gen Olagunsoye Oyinlola (retd.), for the position of deputy national chairman (South), made a U-turn when his colleagues convinced him to go for a civilian.

The newspaper further reported that the PDP governors are influencing certain positions in the party, especially in recent times ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The 2023 Elections

It was learnt that political calculations ahead of the 2023 general elections were responsible for the decision of the governors to support the emergence of Taofik Arapaja instead of Oyinlola.

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Arapaja, who until his emergence was the national vice chairman (South-West) of the opposition party, became the toast of the governors, who felt it was time to end the era of ex-military generals calling the shots in the party.

A party leader said:

“What transpired at the Eagle Square was a culmination of several months of planning and realignment of interests. It is on record that the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had earlier presented a former Osun State governor, Olajunsoye Oyinlola, to his colleagues as his choice for the position.

“This changed when after consultation, most of the governors expressed their fears. Makinde felt that the South-West, where he is the leader, would be better off with a trusted politician at the helm in the event that a northerner emerges as the PDP presidential candidate in 2023."

Move Against Retired Generals

In response to claims that the governors moved to end the dominance of retired generals in running the party, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said:

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“I don’t know those carrying such speculations. One thing I know is that we in the PDP do not discriminate against fellow citizens."

PDP National Convention: New power brokers emerge in opposition party

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that a report by The Nation newspaper indicates that the ongoing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown up new power brokers in the party.

According to the report, the constitution of the incoming National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be a test of strength by governors and elders of the party.

The report noted that governors and elders of the party are locked in a battle of wits to put their loyalists in the new NWC.

Makinde, Wike, Tambuwal storm southwest state to woo prominent former governor to PDP, photo emerges

Earlier, four governors on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are in Ondo to woo a former governor of the state, Olusegun Mimiko, back to the lead opposition party.

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According to The Nation, the PDP governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo state), Nyesom Wike Rivers (state), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia state) and Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto state).

Legit.ng gathered that a large number of members of the Zenith Labour Party(ZLP), Mimiko's current party, are at his residency in Ondo town to welcome the PDP governors.

Source: Legit.ng