From Oluseye Ojo and Eniola Oyemolade, Ibadan
Ahead of 2019 general elections, National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Markafi, yesterday visited former governors of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja and Adebayo Alao-Akala, as well as a former governorship aspirants of the party in the state, Oluseyi Makinde, ahead of their return to the party.
Ladoja defected from PDP to Accord in 2010, while Alao-Akala and Makinde left PDP for the Labour Party (LP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP), respectively, shortly after the PDP governorship primaries in Oyo State prior to the 2015 general elections. Alao-Akala further defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Makarfi’s first point of call was the residence of Ladoja at Bodija, Ibadan, where he was given a rousing welcome. From there he proceeded to Alao-Akala’s house, Akinjide’s house and Adeojo’s residence, before rounding off the visit at Makinde’s palatial residence, also in Ibadan, where he was also received with drums and fanfare. He was to visit former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin, but the latter was said to be abroad as at yesterday.
Ladoja, however, gave reasons for his defection from PDP and listed conditions for his return, such that the whole structure of the Accord would move to PDP. He also asked for waivers and probably amnesty for the prospective returnees to PDP so there would be equality.
Makinde also said he left PDP in 2015 because the national leadership of the party then did not create a level playing field for all the governorship aspirants, adding that he and his followers would return to PDP if the chairman would guarantee internal democracy within the party.
“I’ve been part of the reconciliation process by Prof Jerry Gana. We’ve been consulting, talking. I joined PDP in 2002. I worked for Senator Ladoja then and he won. I singlehandedly financed the PDP in Oyo south till 2007. I left when things got worse.”
But Alao-Akala did not receive the Markafi-led national caretaker executive committee in person because he was abroad. However, his supporters led by Wale Ohu received them on his behalf.
Markafi also visited former Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide(SAN) and former member of Board of Trustees of the party, Alhaji Yekeen Adeojo, among others.
Markafi reiterated his promise that the party was committed to creating level playing field for all members, including the returnees and added that there would be amendment to the party’s constitution during the elective convention of the party slated for December.
He said registration log would be opened soon for all members of the party, including returnees, adding that after the registration, the congresses of the party would be held.
“We have put things on hold in Oyo in order to integrate right from beginning. Let’s start altogether as one family. So, everything we’ll develop, we are going to develop it together. Also, it is important for your people to hear, but it is also important they hear from us.”