By Olanrewaju Adesanya
Ahead of the zonal congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Southwest slated for April 6, 2021, the mainstream candidate for National PDP Vice Chairman (Southwest), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, has counseled the PDP in Lagos State to eschew acrimony and forge ahead in unity.
Arapaja who spoke after been unveiled as the party’s candidate, for the said position stressed the fact that getting the reins of power in Lagos State is cardinal for the party now and that internal wrangling coupled with external forces influence will bring them no good.
He also pleaded with all those concerned to sheathe their swords and let peace reign in the party.
Ambassador Arapaja in his charge to the Lagos State PDP urge all to team up and work to wrest power from the ruling party, adding that the state harbours a lot of economic gains for the political progression of their party if in their kitty.
“So I have come here to appeal to you to unite. We should take power from these people, Nigerians are expecting us, all these things they (APC) are doing, ‘lori iro,’
“PDP is the only party belonging to the people. The economy is in bad shape, security is worse. Even at the backyard of Mr. President, there is banditry.
“We have not come here to play, whoever is not going to listen, we will beg. Please our leaders, we are your errand boys, what we want is result. I am your errand boy,” Arapaja said.
“Nigerians are ready now to vote for PDP, all we need to do is to reconcile.
“It is also time to win Lagos State,and take power to where it belongs. We gave them (APC) opportunity because we did not work as a team. Lagos State is of strategic importance, we need to win the state, we should rise above petty jealousy. The objective is to take power from those people and restructure the party.
“These people have their way because we are not united. Let us stop wasting our time, if you have executive council without being in government the executive council is useless. We are appealing to you, begging you to be united,” he added.
“We are charging them to go out as one big family, that is how we can take Lagos State from the cabals.
“I am optimistic that if we work as one big family we can have better political fortune and I am optimistic that we can win Lagos State.
“I have told them how I feel about Lagos State, that the problem is from within and I am quite sure if they realized that, the problem comes from within they can deal with it to help them achieve the aims and purpose of the party.
Arapaja was officially presented to the Lagos chapter by Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro the zonal caretaker committee Chairman of South West PDP and was adopted by all stakeholders present.
The campaign entourage that followed the mainstream candidate included Alhaja Abosede Adedibu,Alhaji Akeem Ige,Hon. Dare Adeleke and others.
They all stressed that the sincerity of the Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde, whom they claimed had made frantic moves to placate warring stakeholders like Governor Ayodele Fayose who refused to allow reason prevail.
A Lagos chieftain of the party, Otunba Segun Adewale Aeroland who stated his resolve to team up with the Governor Makinde and major PDP political bigwigs and their mainstream candidate, Arapaja, noted that until election is made statutory within the party’s structure from ward level to national and imposition of candidates are done away with, in fighting will persist and there will be more factions.
“Arapaja was in Lagos to seek our votes. He understands Lagos issues partially citing the factions in the state PDP and in fighting he advocated the need to win the governorship seat in Lagos. I give him my support for that.
I know he will surely deliver,moreover he is not arrogant and proud like his predecessor Eddie Olafeso.
Eddie was one the person that destroyed our election in 2019, how can a southwest Chairman come to Lagos State and impose a party Chairman in the local government as well as candidates brought from nowhere to contest elections into various offices?
He added that the upcoming zonal congress is a done deal, as it will be a smooth ride, owing to the huge numbers of delegates in Oyo with people holding elective offices and other statutory delegates, but cited Lagos has no political office holder aside the party’s stakeholders.
Aeroland also noted that Fayose might be heady all through and not show up in congress, that amounts to candidates winning unopposed.
The Lagos Chapter of the party present at the forum, led by the state Secretary Prince Muiz Dosunmu Deacon Kolawole, Alhaji Segun Sowole, Alhaji Samsudeen Arobieke, Chief Taiwo Kuye and Alhaji Rahmon Owokoniran, all noted that the state is ready to deliver 80 percent at the April congress.
The visiting team them proceeded to Chief Bode George’s residence to rap up their courtesy call.