FEMI MAKINDE
The Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State may pick its governorship candidate for the September 22 election through a consensus arrangement.
Our correspondent gathered that the opposition party was working hard towards a peaceful primary election so as to prevent defection, which could weaken its chances of winning back the state.
One of the governorship aspirants in the party, Mr. Adejare Bello, in an interview with our correspondent in Osogbo on Friday, said arriving at a consensus might be difficult because of the strong belief of each of contestants.
He, however, added that a consensus arrangement was not impossible because stakeholders in the party were ready to make any sacrifice to wrest power from the All Progressives Congress at the poll.
Bello said, “It is not impossible for the 11 of us (governorship aspirants) to agree to come up with a consensus candidate before July 17, the primary election date. It may be difficult but it is not impossible.
“We are working round the clock towards that and I want our people to look forward to a very harmonious conclusion at the end of the day. Even if we are unable to bring out a particular person as the consensus candidate, people should rest assured that the primary would witness less rancour.”
The senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Ademola Adeleke, who is also a governorship aspirant, said he was open to a discussion on the issue.
Adeleke, who spoke through his younger brother, Dele Adeleke, said he was not averse to discussing the way the party would win the poll with anybody.
He said, “The senator is open to cooperate with everybody. He doesn’t have a problem discussing with any aspirant. In fact, some aspirants have even stepped down for him and endorsed him. His heart is open.
“If the people are willing to sit down and talk, why not? He is happy to hold discussions with people and let us find out how to move the party forward. What is really important to the senator is the unity in the party. It is a united PDP that can rescue the people of Osun State from the stranglehold of poverty.”
Another prominent aspirant, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, when contacted, said he would support any arrangement made by the leadership of the party to pick its candidate.
Ogunbiyi, who is the Chairman of Mutual Benefits Group, who spoke through the spokesperson of his campaign organisation, Mr. Lere Fagbola, said, “The constitution of our party is very clear on the process for the emergence of the governorship candidate. I fully support any arrangement that the party leadership adopts.
“We are one big family and the ultimate is for us to kick out the incumbent so that our people can enjoy true dividends of democracy. The party must put forward an acceptable candidate for the general elections, either through consensus or primaries.”
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