Kwara PDP Chairman denies knowledge of Saraki’s planned return to party

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kwara State, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo has ruled out the claim that the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki is planning to return to PDP.
Akogun Oyedepo, who ruled out the possibility during an interview with journalist in Ilorin the Kwara State capital, declared that he was not aware of such move by Dr. Saraki.
The Chairman of the Kwara State chapter of the PDP, said that it was not possible for someone who wants to join a party to join from the roof, stressing that such a move would have to start from his ward.
His words, “Honestly, as the state party chairman, I am not aware; as it is not possible for someone who wants to join a party to join from the roof. If he intends joining the party, he should start from his ward in Kwara and hold meetings with the appropriate organs of the state.”
Akogun Oyedepo added, “The ward is where you are registered and get your membership card. The ward is where you can pay your dues to qualify as authentic member of the party.”
While pointing out that the Senate President contested for his present senate seat on the platform of APC in 2015, the Chairman said, “He (Saraki) must follow due process in returning to PDP, if he really wants to join the party, as the party constitution does not give you automatic recognition in to the party because he’s the senate president.”
Oyedepo recalled that even former vice president Atiku Abubakar followed due process by going through his ward before coming back into PDP, despite being a former number two man in the country, which was higher than the senate president.
According to the PDP state chairman, “The senate president is advised to go to his Ajikobi ward in Ilorin West of Kwara State to get registered.”
He stated that the recent coming of Gov. Otom of Benue State to Kwara was on a condolence visit to the Kawu Baraje family and not about PDP.