STILL ON OYO STATE PDP WARD CONGRESS There is no doubt in the - TopicsExpress

STILL ON OYO STATE PDP WARD CONGRESS There is no doubt in the fact that the majority of the members of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in Oyo State have been eager to know what has become of the November 1, 2014 ward congress held in all local governments of Oyo State. It has been weeks of uncertainty, fear and suspicion that the enemy of democracy may take the advantage of the delay in announcing the name of the authentic delegates to manipulate the list in their favor. Of course, rumors has been flying from lips to lips that a certain gubernatorial aspirant who has strong link with the Senate President David Mark has taken charge of the list of the delegates because President Goodluck Jonathan has poured anointing oil on his head as the choice gubernatorial candidate for PDP in Oyo State come 2015. We want to allay the fear of our people that there is no iota of truth in all these rumor. They are all mere fabrications, originating from a fertile imagination of the desperadoes within the party. The president of the Nigerian Senate, Mr. David Mark has said several time he has no intention to interfere in the affair of the Oyo State PDP. Whoever emerges as the gubernatorial candidate should be a collective responsibility of the PDP members in Oyo State and not through Abuja connection. Today, the PDP members in Oyo State remain in the darkness since November 1 ward congress as a result of the action of the anti-democratic forces within the party who want to impose their will on us at all cost. They have deployed all sorts of methods, including violence, blackmail, fraud and forgery to secure fraudulent victory at all cost. They will continue to fail because people will continue to resist them. It is on record that the same group of people falsified the list of the Oyo State party executives some years back. Of course, same notorious set of people tried to forge the result of the outcome of the zonal congress held recently in Ibadan but they also failed. There is also an ongoing desperate attempt to falsify the outcome of the result of the recent ward congresses. That is why they are spreading the false news that they are the one in control of the delegate lists. Of course, PDP as the largest party and most Democratic Party in Nigeria should not treat criminal activities of this magnitude as a party family affair. There is a need to investigate, arrest and prosecute these people for fraudulent activities. There are three things in the world that deserve no mercy; corruption, fraud, and tyranny must be treated with all seriousness. Hence, we want to keep our hope alive that the voice of the people will prevail against the hand of fraud. Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala believes in democratic tenets and the rule of law. We are working with the like minds and genuine stakeholders to ensure the efforts of those who sacrificed everything for the success of the ward congress were not in vain. In fact, those women, young and old men who queued in the scotching sun on November 1 to cast their vote for their choice delegates deserve victory over those who think they can rape our democracy through their dubious connection in Abuja. History will continue to punish those who use fraud and force to suppress the yarning and aspiration of the people. Please remain steadfast and committed. Oludare Ogunlana is the Director of Public Affairs, TEAMAKALA 2015