A former governor of Oyo State and chieftain of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, has said that he would not intervene in the ongoing crisis between his party and Governor Seyi Makinde.
While addressing reporters recently on the occasion of his 75th birthday in Ibadan, the state capital, the High Chief revealed that other leaders of his party restrained him from intervening in the crisis, saying they insisted on handling it their own way.
According to sources, ZLP leaders are unhappy with Makinde over distribution of political appointments since he was sworn in on May 29. It was gathered that the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Alli, had indicated his interest in the position of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) but the governor did not oblige him.
Instead, Makinde appointed Alli as a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council, a position the latter rejected, thereby marking the beginning of a silent tussle between him and the governor. Some ZLP members are accusing Makinde of reneging on the alliance agreement of giving 15 per cent of all positions to their party.
Political watchers had expected Ladoja to intervene but the former governor said Makinde treats him as an individual political leader, and that he respects the governor’s decisions and those of the ZLP.
Reflecting on his 75 years of living, Ladoja explained that his experience has been rich with several successes and disappointments in all spheres of life. But he expressed satisfaction with the contributions he has been opportune to make both in the private and public sectors.
Credit: Newspeakonline
