Governorship candidate of Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran, has identified reason the party failed to win the governorship seat in the state since 1999.
He blamed it on the antics of some leaders within the PDP, who he accused of playing double standards, working for the opposition in the past and during the last general election, reports Nigerian Tribune.
He made the claim while addressing party faithful and leaders during a ‘thank-you parley’ to appreciate members of his campaign council and non-partisan individuals who supported his governorship aspiration.
He said it was about time to look at the like-minds that could reposition the party.
He held that he remained the apex leader of the party in the state at the moment, in line with the laid down rules and constitutional provisions of PDP and the country.
He assured that he was ready to provide leadership ahead of 2027 elections, noting that party members, looked for a true leader that is selfless, on just as he demanded that any leader who does not want to be a member of PDP again should leave the app.
Speaking on the alleged double standard prevalent in Lagos PDP, Adediran recalled that, ahead of 2023 general election, a party chieftain, whom he did not mention, openly decamped to the opposition Labour Party (LP), adding that another leader, equally dumped PDP for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“In 2019, the same group declared support for the APC as against PDP candidate who was not in PDP at that time. In 2017 for local government election, they worked for the Labour Party, the same PDP leaders in Lagos. In 2015, they did the same and in every election cycle.
“So, what happened in 2023 was not because Adediran did this to us but has been their stock in trade and that is why today if you don’t want to do PDP you can go,” he said.
“For those who have declared for Labour Party, they should stay there; for those who have gone to APC, they should enjoy it. Those of us who remain, let us know ourselves,” he added.
Speaking further, Adediran reiterated that the party in the state did not lose the 2023 poll because members didn’t work for its success, recalling that campaigns were taken to every nook and cranny “that had never been visited in the history of this state politically- to campaign to people.”
“That is why I am here to appreciate all of you. You are my heroes, you did very well.
“We ran a campaign like never before. I brought you together to say thank you. You did well.
“We have chosen this path, there is no going back. We will stay firm so as to give Lagos a breath of fresh air,” he said.
He, however, urged the National leadership of the party to listen to voices of patriotic and loyal leaders calling for firm action against unpatriotic leaders within the fold.
According to him, PDP leadership should ensure this else “no one would take the party serious if such leaders were still forced on the people,” declaring that it was said that it was about time for the genuine party leaders looked inward for like-minds to rebuild the PDP for future elections in the country.
