Wale JAGUN
The claim by a section of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), that the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is without credible and quality individuals who will run as its flagbearers in 2019 general elections following the massive decampment of hundreds of its members to the former, especially the decampment of the former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musliu Obanikoro and hundreds of his loyalists, may not be true after all.
This was the position of the party’s Public Relation Officer in Ikorodu, Mr Femi Adinlewa, during a recent interview with our reporter at THE IMPACT head office in Ikorodu where he debunked the statement credited to the PDP decampees regarding the strenght of the party in 2019.
“That is a very funny statement. How can someone thinks that his departure from a party will mean there is no one there again. I think they are dreaming and such dream can never be a reality”, Adinlewa stated.
“A serious party must field aspirants and for the next general elections, we have our aspirants who have been showing interests. They have been writing letters to us.We have two prominent indigenes of Ikorodu aspiring to contest. For the House of Assembly seat in Constituency 1, we have about 3 aspirants, for the House of Assembly seat in Constituency 2, we have about 2 as well as 2 aspirants for the House of Representatives.”
When pressed further, the PDP spokeman revealed that Prince Amid Adekunle Oduborisa, an Environmentalist and politician of note will declare for the Lagos State Senatorial position on the platform of the main opposition party.
He also added that the daughter of the late Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Prince Adunni Oyefusi and Hon. Sonubi, popularly known as ‘Alan Sho’ would also be vying for the Senate and House of Representatives positions.
“For the position of the Senate, we have Engr. Ahmed Oduborisa and Princess Oyefusi, the daughter of the late Oba of Ikorodu. She came with her entourage to speak with the exco of our party last week during which she said she wants to contest again”, Adinlewa confirmed.
“ For the post of House of Assembly Constituency 1, we have Muritan Ademola and Prince Kamilu (Tiger) while for Constituency II Assembly seat, we have Anjolaiya from Igbogbo and our former candidate, Akeju, who is still interested to contest.
“In the House or Representatives, we have Alanshow who contested the primary against Hon. Animashaun in the last elections. He has also written to our party over this. So, who is saying PDP cannot produce candidates? I don’t think you got the information very right”, Adinlewa added.
The entry of Prince Oduborisa and Prince Oyefusi into the Senatorial race would give Ikorodu people, who have been clamouring for their sons and daughters to declare for the position, some respite. But it remain to be seen if the dream can be achieved on the platform of the opposition party.
Mr Adinlewa, who also admitted that the opposition has been enmeshed in crisis since they lost grip of power at the centre after 16 years, stated that they are now putting their house in order to give the ruling APC tough challenge come 2019.
“We were divided in Ikorodu before but after the convention, we had no choice but to come together and harmonize things. Our current LGA Chairman is Chief Taiwo Adekogbe, while Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, Chief Oduborisa, Chief Ahmed Aleshinloye and Chief Shitta are our leaders. We have our ward leaders too”, he stated.
