PDP not sufficiently disciplined — Obasanjo

 by Akinwale Aboluwade 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has attributed the challenges in the Peoples Democratic Party to lack of party discipline.

Obasanjo spoke in Ibadan on Saturday at the caucus meeting of the PDP in the South-West zone. The meeting was reportedly convened to address some of the challenges besetting the party in the zone.

The former president who just returned from a trip to Tokyo, Japan, said, “Our party is not sufficiently disciplined. People run from the South-West to Abuja to claim that they are the authentic group in the party. We should be tolerant. If you respect us, you shall be respected.

“The issue of structure is a serious problem in the PDP. Some people believe once they have structure they have all it takes. This is the tool they are using to destroy the party. Whoever ignores the word of wisdom will regret it. I want all of you to know that whatever your ambition you cannot unilaterally elect yourself.”

He appealed to the party’s officials in Abuja to represent other members without fear or favour.

On the issue of aggrieved party members, he said, “There are some that we supposed to bring back to the fold.”

He noted that although the PDP did not win the Ondo State governorship election, the party was not put to shame.

Obasanjo added, “It is not all the time that we can win but at times we can lose gallantly. In the Ondo election, we were gallant in performance. We contested; we did not win but had a good showing. The lesson to learn from the election is that all aspirants came together in unison to support one candidate.

“Most importantly, our party should ensure discipline. Even in our houses, somebody has to lead. We have to respect the elders. I don’t understand reconciliation after spoiling things.

“There must be discipline in this party. In any institution, there must be discipline. We must contribute financially to the party and not wait until we want to contest before being responsible. Our party is due for a review of its activities in the last 14 years.

“Both at the national, zonal and state levels, we should look at what we have done so far in the last 14 years. Review of our party will make us know where we came from, where we are and where we are going.”

Earlier in his address, the PDP National Vice Chairman, (South-West) Mr. Segun Oni, said, the objective of the meeting was to widen consultation and participation base to ensure that the PDP in the South-West became an all-inclusive party.

He said, “The challenge before the PDP in the South-West is to strengthen ourselves to meet the yearnings of the people for a change from the present Action Congress of Nigeria led governments at the next elections.

“Our people in the South-West have tested alternatives and are unhappy with the performance of the ACN.

“To achieve the objective of winning the remaining five states of the South-West at the polls, we have to ensure that we create level-playing fields in all our states for our members to come together in unity, we have to inspire healthy competitions for our tickets at the various levels in all the states and ensure fairness across the board.

“We are aware that there is unease across the zone. This is very dangerous in our desire to wrest power from incumbents. The electorate expect us as a party to demonstrate our resolve and commitment to take over the South-West by first closing our ranks and creating enduring inclusiveness in all our states.”

Among those who attended the meeting were the National Secretary of the PDP, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Shuaibu Oyedokun, Yekinni Adeojo, Tajudeen Oladipo, Mrs. Jumoke Akinjide, Mrs. Titi Ajanaku, former PDP governorship candidate in Ondo, Mr. Olusola Oke, and former Senator Lekan Balogun.

Punch