I have read through the unsigned and undated publication with the hashtag ‘OndoForAtiku’ and feel it is necessary to put some facts and truths in proper perspective, lest future readers of this writeup assume that all that has been written therein is true and correct.
For a fact, the PDP in Ondo state under the leadership of its former Chairman, Eng. Chief Clement Faboyede as Chairman and Mr. Eyitayo Jegede SAN; as Director-General of the Ondo State Presidential Election Campaign Council, with the support of the former State Working Committee (SWC) and State Executive Committee (SEC) plus all party leaders and members, delivered that laudable victory to the current candidate of the party Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. That victory was not a surprise nor was it happenstance to the intent that the cohesiveness of all contending interests and sides in Ondo state, was promoted to the maximum level of priority that was required.
NB: Please see the records of the 2019 Presidential Elections in the SouthWest as stated in the referred writeup.
Secondly, it is on record that the return of a former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and others to the PDP, was at the instance of the PDP Governors Forum led by HE Aminu Tambuwal (Governor of Sokoto State) and spearheaded by our South West Leader, HE. Seyi Makinde (Governor of Oyo State)We must not for the opportunity to patronize those in power at this time, neglect the importance of stating facts as record. The return of many members to the PDP has been accomplished not by the specific efforts of a few misguided individuals (who should indeed be honest to state the truth and correct the fictions) who have valued their personal interest above the collective interests of all members.
While not contesting the assumptions of the writer on his illusionary wide acceptance of the partys’ candidate, it however becomes important for us as a people to be truthful and honest at all times. It is 4 years down the lane and those who were left in disarray, should be nurtured and respected back to strength. I dare say that there isn’t any ‘wide acceptance’ but hope lies in doing the needful to bring our people back together. The least would be constant respectful engagement by the Turakin with the members in Ondo State.
It is on record that the Waziri and former Vice President did not in any way consider our effort in the 2019 presidential election when we were the only state that won convincingly in the Southwest with well over 30,000 votes, as a prerequisite for his support in the 2020 gubernatorial election where we lost to the APC. Also, it may be an attempt to give false hopes for the writer to conclude that the former Vice President has Ondo state in the kitty for the next Presidential election. We have learnt to rely on ourselves in the face of his perennial absence when it is most required. I wonder if we would have remained an opposition party if the Turakin Adamawa had left the comfort of his home, to lead us in our favored attempt to gain Ondo state under the umbrella of the PDP in 2020.
In concluding this response, I must say that the writer was right in saying that, ‘the nature of the Nigerian political atmosphere requires an individual that has a great understanding of the various demographic peculiarities of the Nigerian people, their hopes and aspirations and their cultural, ethnic, religious and social diversity’. That diversity and plurality of hopes would require a clear apology from the candidate to the devoted and committed members of the PDP in Ondo state, who stood firm to deliver honor to him in 2019 at the polls.
We are a people whose ancestry compels nobility from the lovely in the face of dire hunger. We therefore should not be quick to rewrite history in such an ignoble manner in the hope for filthy benefits.
Thank you.
Adeyinka Ikulambe Esq.
