The national chairman, Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, on Wednesday led other top notchers of the party to Osogbo, capital of Osun State for the unity luncheon aimed at galvanizing unity and cohesion in the opposition party.
According to Nigerian Tribune, other stalwarts of the PDP at the unity luncheon include former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Engineer Seyi Makinde, former deputy governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, former chairman of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Senator Olu Alabi, former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope.
Addressing the gathering the chairman of the PDP caretaker committee in Osun, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Ishola said the unity luncheon was purposely packaged to further solidify the unity and synergy already achieved by the party in Osun State.
He described the event as the culmination of progress and remarkable success we have recorded in restoring peace within the rank and file of the PDP in Osun, saying that “you can see that party chieftains who have not interacted together for the past 17 months are now sitting side by side, signposting the unity and harmonisation among all the stakeholders of our party in the state.”
Ishola charged all the party members to sustain the unity, with a view to building stronger opposition to dislodge the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2018 governorship election in Osun and the 2019 genera, elections, explaining that the PDP remains the only alternative Nigerians were banking on to bring about responsive governance that would tackle the myriad of challenges, confronting the nation.
In his remark, former gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, who had decamped to the PDP said he was very happy to be part of “this historic event aimed at fostering the much-needed peace in our great party, the PDP. There can never be a better time than now to have this type of gathering.”
He contended that “the APC at the federal and state levels have misused the opportunity provided by political power by not offering the nation and its people the right leadership, noting that “division within our ranks, caused their emergence in the first instance.”
According to Akinbade, “since their foray into the nation’s helms of affairs, it has clearly been known to Nigerians that the APC were not prepared for governance; they have been acting as opposition, forgetting they are already in government. The clear message of their ineptitude should be a wake-up call for all and sundry within the PDP fold across the country, that it is high time we took over from them.”
“This can only happen if we can bury our prides; forget those things that divide us and concentrate on things that make us strong and indivisible. Surely, nobody claps with one hand. For us to regain our lost glory, it will require dedication, honesty of purpose,discipline and forgiveness. Simply, it is when we are united that these people presently at the helms of affairs, can be dislodged.
“Our story in Osun is not different. The advent of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the governor of our dear state, has not spelt any good for our people as they have continued to reel in pains and hunger. The state has been helplessly driven to the cesspit of debts, mis-governance and lack of definable direction.
” 2018,the year designed for our own election is around the corner. As a result,I want to beg us in the name of Almighty God that we should not allow our individual ambitions to becloud our senses of reasoning as to forget the suffering of our people. A day’s mistake at the polls,will be equal to another four years of hardship. May God lead us aright”, Akinbade remarked.
Other PDP bigwigs of the PDP at the luncheon include Senator Kofoworola Bucknor Akerele, Senator representing Osun West Senatorial District, Senator Ademola Adeleke, Chief Shuaib Oyedokun, former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan, former Minister of State for Defence, Chief (Mrs) Erelu Obada, former chairman of the PDP in Osun, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa, Hon Soji Adagunodo, Dr Bayo Faforiji.
