Senator Omisore:In the eye of the storm

The crisis rocking the Osun state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party

(PDP) reach  its climax penultimate week as ten aspirants out of the 19
aspirant’s teamed up to fight the alleged  imposition of  a candidate in the 

party ahead of forthcoming Governorship primaries.
Some party members alleged that the present party executives in the state
have compromised in their decision to endorse the candidature of Senator
Iyiola Omisore as party governorship flag bearer in the 2011 general
election which they described as against the internal democracy.It would be
recalled that few of the ward and local government party executives were
dissolved recently which some party loyalists kicked against and began the
division within the rank and file of the party over alleged impropriety in
the hand of the state executive.At a recent press conference addressed in
osogbo under the aegis of the party chieftains from the three senatorial
districts of the state they called for the intervention from the national
chairman of the party, Dr. Okweisilese Nwodo in order to save the party from
collapse and ensure its fortune in the next general election is not diminished.

The chieftains equally called on the economic and financial crime commission (EFCC) to
investigate the illegal collection of over N293 million allegedly collected
from aspirants at all levels seeking one position or the others in the
state.The spokesman of the group, Alhaji Rasheed Durodoye who passed vote of
no confidence on the leadership of the party in the state called on the
National working committee of the party to wade into the crisis by allowing
the reforms in the party to start from Osun State.According to him, Osun PDP
needs reforms because the state working committee of the party is biased in
everything they do, therefore the issue of non – adherence to internal
democracy was a remote cause for party destabilization in the state.He
explained that, the PDP in Osun State is devoid of internal democracy from
the state election to local and wards level because the party has witnessed
selection processes instead of election, while imposition of candidates and
less regard for party constitution was the order of the day.

While chronicling the atrocities of the state working committee led by Alhaji
Ademola Razak, the spokesman lamented that there is dire need of re –
constitution of state executive for 2011 credible elections.Alhaji Durodoye
also faulted the claim by the National Vice Chairman South West of the party
Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo who recently declared that there was no crisis in
Osun PDP but said the party leadership will not join issues with him rather
they have lodged their complaint to the National secretariat of the party.He
also explained how N150 million, N54 million and another #98 million were
collected fraudulently at various times from aspirants for 2011
elections.The party chieftain disagreed with  the state chairman, Ademola
Razak who claimed that the amount collected was contributed by the
aspirants for the development of the party  and it was free and not a
compulsory levy on anybody.   Osun PDP Chief stressed that the National
working committee of the party never approved the collection but equally
directed to refund the money collected to all the contributors but up till
now the state chapter disobeyed in refunding the money collected.

However,
other atrocities listed by the party chieftains included illegal dissolution
of local government and ward executives, endorsement of all candidates at
all levels without any election up to year 2015 and imposition of candidates
for the 2011 general elections. They alleged the present working committee
of the party of criminal conspiracy, forgery, and lack of internal democracy
and fraudulent stealing of the party’s fund.He however called on the
National leader, National chairman and the National working committee to
commence investigation and get the staff or all the people involved
suspended from office to serve as a deterrent to other states and also,
dissolve the present state working committee immediately and  appoint the
caretaker committee to see the state through 2011 election.In another
development, few of the party members at the press conference carried
placard to show their grievances against the ongoing in the party which
inscription range from”Ara osun egbawa o, won ti gbowo Kosooto mo o,
Obasanjo Egbawa o lowo EXCO osun yeeoo,Dr  Nwodo dissolve osun PDP exco  to
let electoral Reform start from osun state means osun people come to our
aid, they have collected money, no truth again,obasanjo helps us from this
osun exco,Dr Nwodo dissolves Osun PDP exco to let electoral reform start
from osun state”.

Meanwhile, the State Chairman of the Party (PDP), Alhaji Ademola Razaq has
described the recent skirmishes and media war against the party’s leadership
in the state as a pre-election fever which is often master- minded by some
pessimists within the party.
Alhaji Rasaq speaks through the party Director of Publicity, Prince Adeolu
Adeyemo who stated that the development is a necessary evil and this has
always been the stock in trade of those that lack confidence in themselves
to orchestrate conflicts whenever major primaries are approaching.

 The PDP boss noted that crises and conflicts are major components of
politics and expressed optimism that it would soon be resolved amicably.

He warned the members to desist from exposing the PDP to public ridicule and
contempt in the name of furthering their selfish interest.

Rasaq  observed that all the allegations raised in media are baseless,
unfounded and untrue, adding that, those who engaged themselves in such
battle might have been induced by money and unbridled love for power and
positions.

He therefore advised members of the party to shun all temptations that can
wreck havoc on the party’s fortunes in the next general elections in the
state.

 PDP chief promised that the present state leadership of the party will
allow a plain level ground for all contestants.

In the same vein, the youth organization working for the ambition of Senator
Iyiola Omisore to become the State Governor come May 2011 under the umbrella
of Omisore Youth Vanguard (OYV) has cautioned the party chieftains from
frivolous allegations without any reference to good performance of the party
in the state.
Omisore Speaking through the Publicity secretary of the group, Comrade
Ekundayo Olatunde advised the party chieftains that they should understand
the principle of democracy which is based on the interest of majority and
urged any member that found themselves in the minority should learn on how
to modify their interest to form inline with the majority class instead of
calling for dissolution of the party leadership.
The group appeals to the aggrieved members of the party to channel their
interest appropriately and pursue it with the spirit of sportsmanship as a
one family.

Many observers that are watching the ongoing negative drama within the
ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state as 2011 general election
is drawing nearer are of the opinion that the current imbroglio within the
ruling party may degenerate to the downfall of the party in the state if
formidable and virile opposition party  could come out from their shell to
confront the PDP in real sense of it and cut their wings.