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These are tough times for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Her internal politics has created challenges, which have further compounded her push to dethrone the ruling All Progressive Congress next year.
The defection to the Social Democratic Party by some founding fathers was dismissed as irrelevant but the SDP is gaining unexpected momentum.
Reality is that SDP is to take PDP and not APC loyalists.
The situation at the state level across the South West should even be a cause for concern. Osun and Ekiti head to the poll this year as a prelude to 2019 battle. Whatever happens in those two states is sure to dictate trends of things to expect next year.
Reports from those two states are not palatable. The defection of Iyiola Omisore in Osun state is surely a negative for the party. That development implies that the votes meant for the opposition are now divided into two.
Rumours are high too that former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Segun Mimiko and a host of others are heading to the SDP. What worries many PDP people spoken to are that there is no mechanism to stop the exit of many of these party chiefs.
There is what one observer called the eagerness to get rid of some party chiefs to satisfy some stakes.
Checks showed that for the South West, Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose is the alpha and omega who is now reportedly deciding who pick the governorship ticket of the PDP in Osun state.
Governor Fayose was quoted as having affirmed that there is no way for Omisore governorship again in Osun.
Worst still, Fayose is reported to be the Chief promoter of Senator Ademola Adeleke against the wind of opinion in the state.
Many PDP members in Osun are openly worried that Fayose who is a friend of Governor Rauf Aregbesola is pushing to foist a weak and divisive guber candidate on the PDP.
This they reasoned is to ease the task of winning for the APC in September.
Expectedly, the news of Fayose insisting on Senator Adeleke has spread like wildfire in Osun state, creating bad blood and setting the stage for a disputed governorship primary for the PDP in Osun state.
Many are wondering what is wrong with Senator Adeleke as a candidate.
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People from Ede, the Senator’s home town have reeled out several reasons :
- a breach of accord/pact that earned him the senate seat;
- his lack of requisite qualifications and experience;
- his lack of seriousness in public conduct;
- the senatorial zoning arrangement which does not favour his town;
- his bad treatment of those who worked for his emergence as a senator;
- his weak grasp of governance and politics;
- his disowning of PDP as the source of victory at last poll ;and,
- his lack of accessibility as a senator.
Despite these glaring weaknesses, insiders are quick to note that party delegates and structure would be manipulated to produce an Adeleke as the guber flagberarer, a development that may force other aspirants to defect and pick the tickets of other political parties.
This may eventually weaken the PDP further and provide ease win for the APC.
An analyst in Osogbo noted that the defeat of PDP at the poll may have achieved the goal of Fayose which is to ensure that Aregbesola produces a successor to cover up his years of bad governance in Osun state.
But the scheming may also backfire for Fayose at home. When the Governor won his election four years ago, federal might was obviously heavily deployed.
In fact ,many insiders confessed that former Governor Fayemi was ousted through military electoral coup. As Ekiti election draws closer, similar coup may be in the oven to oust PDP from Ekiti Government House.
A source in Ado Ekiti said jokingly that the APC has a copy of the master plan that the PDP used to enthrone Fayose four years ago. According to him, “that template is going to be repeated fully”.
The most dangerous thing is that there may also be anti- party activities in Ekiti. Now that the party structures have been hijacked to serve the interest of only one aspirant, unfairly treated aspirants may have to demand a pound of flesh.
Osun aggrieved operators may also join hands to contribute to the defeat of their tormentors from Ekiti. Either way, APC has huge advantage deliberately conferred on them by the emerging failure of leadership within the PDP.
The bitter development which is happening at such a fast pace is the herculean burden facing the PDP. If Osun and Ekti are conclusively mismanaged, the push by PDP to win 2019 may have been jeopardized.
Unfortunately, for PDP, her elders have left the house. What is going to happen now? Your guess is as good as mine.
Ademola sent this piece from Imesi Ile, Osun state
