From Seyi Ojelade, Ibadan
One of the aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants in Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde at the weekend defected to Social Democratic Party (SPD) and emerged as the party standard bearer in the state.
It would be recalled that another aspirant and a former governor, Otunba Alao Akala on Thursday last week also became Labour Party governorship candidate in Oyo State.
Engr. Makinde disclosed this on Monday at a press conference held at his Omi Titun Campaign Office in Ibadan saying due to lack of respect for the rule of law and series of injustice among the ruling PDP, he has to find alternative way to serve the people of the state.
According to him, various results were submitted to the Rescheduled Ward Congress Election Committee led by Dr. Adamu Idi Hong and the panel submitted two reports; a majority report and minority report while the former was signed by three members while later was endorsed by two members of the committee.
“The later became a subject of litigation whereby an Abuja Federal High Court ruled that PDP National Working Committee must conduct primaries with delegate list endorsed by the majority of the panel”
“On December 8, PDP conducted illegal guber primaries with a delegate list whose composition was not only strange to the Constitution and electoral guidelines of the party itself but in flagrant disobedience of court order”
“PDP subverted the courts by conducting an election with about 10 percent of those that were eligible to participate”
“All entreaties made to the PDP Headquarters fell on deaf ears” he concluded.
Engr. Makinde said he joined the race to improve the standard of living of the people through responsive and responsible leadership, concerned about high level of deprivation of the people and to reduce poverty.
“So, after fruitless efforts to ensure free and fair election prevails within PDP and yearnings of people asking for change, I find it extremely difficult to shy away from this popular demand to make a difference in lives of my people. I decided to join Social Democratic Party (SDP).”
He added that SDP remain the only hope of the people to save them from elitism, abuse of power and governments that serve selves rather than people.
