Oyo PDP governorship aspirants to face Makinde’s Advisory Council
From Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan As the primaries of political parties in Oyo State are getting near, Governor Seyi Makinde’s Advisory Council (GAC) has invited the aspirants jostling to take over
From Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan
As the primaries of political parties in Oyo State are getting near, Governor Seyi Makinde’s Advisory Council (GAC) has invited the aspirants jostling to take over the mantle of leadership in the state on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to appear before it.
The invitation, it was gathered, is to allow for an ‘interaction’ with the aspirants to present and discuss their plans and programmes for the state.
It was gathered that the interaction to be led by the Chairman of the council, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, was aimed at creating a level playing field for the aspirants to present their ideas and visions before the council ahead of the primary election.
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Some of the aspirants who have appeared before the council include Adedeji Olajide (Odidiomo), Dr. Nureni Adeniran, Bimbo Adekanmbi, Debo Akande and Debo Ogundoyin, among others.
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It was gathered that the exercise is aimed at evaluating the credentials, experience and acceptability of the aspirants, as PDP prepares to present a strong candidate for the governorship election.
The exercise is also expected to help foster internal consensus in the party.
Speaking with The Nation on the phone, Ayorinde said the effort was not to screen any candidate, but to have an interaction with them to know the plans they had for the state.
He confirmed that the exercise, which started on Saturday, had seen nine aspirants interacted with the council by the close of the day.
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He said although the exercise has been rigorous, some individuals are expected to meet the council today for further discussions.
Ayorinde added: “It is not a screening exercise. It is an interaction between the Governor’s Advisory Council and the aspirants. We don’t want a situation where there will be any form of imposition from any quarter.
“With the cooperation of the governor, the advisory council headed by me is interacting with the aspirants, to know their plans for the state.
“Because of this, we have invited all of them and they have responded to us individually. They are fantastic aspirants.”
He hoped the governor would still engage other stakeholders, including party chieftains, traditional rulers, among others, to seek their views before a candidate would emerge, to avoid a situation whereby the party’s choice would be rejected by the electorate.
Ayorinde reiterated that the council is not screening or interrogating the aspirants, but interacting with them and would not discredit or disqualify any aspirant, as it had no power to do so in democracy.
He said the job of the council was to offer advice to the governor as a listening leader, who was interested in a free and fair process and a level playing field for the aspirants.
Asked if the idea was approved by Governor Makinde, Chief Ayorinde said: “If he didn’t like it, he will not allow it.”
