Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Otunba
Segun Adewale has said that the planned defection of some aggrieved
members of the Party to a newly registered political party, The Advanced
People Democratic Alliance (APDA) will further weaken democracy in the
State. He posited that a formidable opposition is a necessary ingredient
in any democratic setting.
Adewale, while
interacting with some journalists yesterday appreciated the thoughts and
efforts of his well-wishers as he clocked 51st years. He said “I am
overwhelmed by the volume of goodwill messages from far and near today
being my birthday. Certainly, this show of love has further reinforced
my resolve to live the remaining part of my life for the benefits of
mankind”.
The PDP Chairman also advised members
of the PDP believed to be loyal to Moshood Salvador planning to defect
into a recently registered political party to reconsider their stand in
the interest of the party. “I will continue to sue for a united PDP. I
have been doing this since I became the Chairman. It is not in the
interest of democracy, the aggrieved and the general public for the
opposition to be divided especially less than 2 months to the LG
elections”. Adewale said.
According to him “the
aggrieved members are acting alone. Senator Makarfi on whose behalf
they claimed to be acting has since advised them to work with us towards
the victory of the party in the LG polls".
Adewale
restated that he is ready and willing to harmonize the LG candidates
list with Salvador group before presenting same to LASIEC. “I have the
mandate of our leaders in the PDP to share the LG candidates on a 50 /50
basis with them if that will ensure peace going into the polls. Our
interest is to deliver Lagos grassroots to the PDP. The State
Secretariat is open to all members of the party and I am available to
receive their list personally at the office whenever they are ready.
"Although,
all efforts to reconcile those aggrieved have been frustrated by a few
disgruntled leaders that are already sold out to the ruling party in the
state but we will not relent in our efforts towards repositioning the
PDP for victory in Lagos State” the chairman stated.
He
advised members especially the aspirants not to be deceived into
defecting into a new party 2 months to election. "Selling a new party to
the electorates two months to election is a near impossible task. Not
to mention that the party logo maybe contested by some registered party
due to its similarities". He concluded.
It
would be recalled that Otunba Segun Adewale has been consistent in his
effort to reconcile all aggrieved members of the party in Lagos, just as
he has consistently stated that APC has failed Lagosians with its
unfulfilled promises.