A Call to Action, Saving Osun PDP from the Brink of Disaster - By Adedapo Taiwo Emmanuel.

I had penned a glowing tribute to Governor Ademola Adeleke immediately after the former caretaker Chairmen, began submitting their resignation letters. My accolades were not motivated by any affinity or animosity towards the local government chairmen, but rather by the governor's exemplary respect for the tenets of democracy. The governor took swift and decisive action, adhering to the Supreme Court's ruling on local government financial autonomy, demonstrating his undiluted commitment to democratic principles.

In that article, while I lauded the governor for his proactive measures in upholding democracy, I cautioned against the imposition of chairmanship aspirants on the party. This warning was prompted by my foresight that the majority of outgoing caretaker chairmen would seek to recontest unopposed, a move that could spell doom for the PDP in Osun State.

After that article, the OSSIEC's chairman, Barrister Hashim, released the timetable for the 2025 local government elections. However, after the PDP announced the date for its primaries, an unsettling silence ensued, leaving party members in the dark regarding the primary elections.

I would have written to challenge this, but awaited the party's next move. Unfortunately, instead of scheduling a date for the primaries and outlining the process for aspirants, I heard a distressing rumor that, if true, would signal the party's downfall. The rumor suggests that, some party leaders aim to impose the outgoing caretaker chairmen on the party, making a mockery of democracy and the primary elections.

This decision would be a catastrophic mistake, akin to the one that befell Former Governor Oyetola in the last governorship election. The imposition of candidates led to his downfall, as party members revolted against his handpicked candidates. The APC must have learned from this mistake by now.

A Yoruba adage says, "onikan konijekobaje," meaning the owner of something will not allow it to spoil. In this case, Governor Ademola Adeleke is the onikan, and by all means, he must not let it spoil. This same test befell Former Governor Oyetola in the last election, as people advised him wrongly, and he became a victim of this. His act caused him the election, and the imposition of any candidate in this coming local government elections will spell doom for the PDP in the State. It won't go well because people will feel cheated and lose their sense of belonging to the party.

For instance, the house of assembly primary elections where Oyetola handpicked candidates caused him the election. Party people revolted, but instead of Oyetola yielding to the advice of the people, the very few beclouded his sense of reasoning and caused him that election. Till tomorrow, the results of APC primary for 2023 National Assembly and State assembly elections aren't seen anywhere. The APC must have learned from that mistake by now.

The governor should be aware that the 2025 local government election in Osun State will serve as a precursor to the 2026 governorship election, and the outcome will determine the fate of the party. It is crucial to recall that unlike Aregbesola, who emerged victorious with a margin of over 100 thousand votes in 2014, Adeleke's victory was secured with a mere 28 thousand votes, and yet, the APC failed to consolidate on that victory due to imposition of leadership on the party and its members. 

The rumored imposition has not been implemented, and yet, PDP members have already expressed their discontent. If this decision is implemented, it will be akin to pouring fuel on a raging fire. For instance, in Osogbo, Ife, Ilesa, Ifedayo, Ayeedade, party members have vehemently opposed the party's decision to impose candidates, and if care is not taken, the APC will capitalize on this mistake. We must not forget that the APC is poised to participate in the forthcoming local government election. What will be the fate of the local government if the Party leaders impose the will of the few on the majority of the people? What will happen when party members, feeling marginalized and disenfranchised, decide to abandon the party?

The biblical account of King Jeroboam, who succumbed to the advice of those who sought his downfall, should serve as a cautionary tale for our governor. The advice to impose the former caretaker chairmen, many of whom have demonstrated a lack of governance acumen and failed woefully during their brief tenure, is a Trojan horse. It may appear appealing on the surface but conceals a recipe for disaster. The story of the Trojan horse serves as a reminder of the dangers of such a decision.

Recently, a significant number of party members have defected from our party, and instead of allowing history to repeat itself, we should strive to address the concerns of all party members without bias or prejudice. We cannot afford to lose more members. Mr. Governor, please ensure that the primary elections are conducted in a free and fair manner, allowing the will of the people to prevail, rather than the whims of a select few. I am compelled to write this article because of my unwavering love and support for Governor Adeleke, and I fervently hope that he will heed this advice to avoid the pitfalls that befell his predecessor, Oyetola. I wish him continued success beyond 2026.

Adedapo Taiwo Emmanuel 

Ward 9, 

Ifedaayo Local Government 

08108351514