A senatorial aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bisi Ilaka has said that despite the defection of the Former Governor of Oyo state, Senator Rasheed Ladoja from the PDP, the party in the state still remains strong and formidable.
The Oyo-born financial and tax consultant who is eyeing the Oyo central senatorial seat spoke with journalists in Ibadan today about his ambition and the party. He regarded Senator Rasheed Ladoja and his stalwarts who left the PDP for African Democratic Congress (ADC) as travelers.
“All the chairmen who won for Accord Party in 2011 are all still in the PDP. The team still remains formidable. Yes, people have left here and there. They will be replaced with competent hands, other people had come on board. There are capable hands everywhere to replace them.
“Kunmi Mustapha remains in the party. He is not going anywhere. His deputy also remains in the party. Most of the executives remain.
“One thing politician has to learn is crisis management because in politics there will always be crisis. There is no perfection anywhere. I’m of the view that certain people including Govenor Ladoja and his co-travellers, most of them, I don’t think their intentions are sincere or pure. They are in need of what they can gain or what they think they can gain. Because if they are not as selfish and self-centered as I think they are. They would have thought about the greater good.” he said.
When asked why he did not follow Senator Ladoja to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Chief Ilaka said that his victory at poll is not tied with associating with Senator Ladoja. Hence, he can win the seat without key Governor Ladoja or any iconic-political affliation.
“The last election. I come from Oyo now, we won between 34/36 out of the 40 wards in Oyo. They were not voting for Ladoja. They were voting for me. Yes, I know it was a collective efforts but the operators/politicians in political parties are less one percent of the electorate. What matters is what the electorates think. Is Senator Ladoja name on the ballot with me? Is not. Where we perceived he might have a major impact would have been what they call Ibadan Greater or Less City. In Oyo, they knew Ilaka was contesting and whatever party Ilaka was contesting they were voting for him. In Ibadan, it was a little bit different. Some people will say we suffered from the tsunami effect of Buhari or whatever.” he added.
When asked about the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming 2019 general elections. The Ladilu of Oyo noted that the problem with the PDP in the 2011 election was lack of internal democracy and the presentation of poor candidates which the party has identified
“PDP didn’t do well last time because it has poor and hopeless candidate and the people totally rejected them. If they had had better candidates, electorates will applaud and endorse them. Candidates were imposed and handpicked and people left. If there is proper participatory democracy in the party. Then we stand a good chance”.
Ilaka also said that when the clouds in the horizon of the new party they all ran to it strikes. They will all learn their lessons.
“I’m sure when the clouds in the horizon get stricken by thunderstorms. They will be many things to write about”
