A group of Stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oyo State chapter on Saturday drew the attention of the State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde to the alleged unwholesome behaviors of some known aides of His Excellency, using their closeness to him to impose candidates and propagate failures ahead of the forthcoming local Government election in the State.
A spokesperson of the Concerned Group, Otunba Farayola Ogungbade in a press statement to reporters in Ibadan said, a serving Deputy Speaker in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Muhammed Fadeyi and a former Deputy Chief of Staff to His Excellency, Hon. Mojeed Mogbonjubola who doubles as the House of Representatives candidate of the PDP in the recently concluded 2023 general elections are the ‘worst culprits in this regard”.
Ogungbade who hinted that PDP leaders in Oluyole and Ona-Ara respectively are disappointed by the antics of these elements, but were worried “whether the State Governor sent them to destroy the party structures in both council areas or they are only being mischievous in their actions”.
According to him, “Hon Mojeed Mogbonjubola Jagaban who lost elections on three consecutive occasions in 2015, 2019 and 2023 respectively has turned himself to party leader who can approbate and reprobate at the same time. He is wielding powers that’s both questionable and unreasonably defective.
“The current Executive Chairmen in Oluyole and Ona Ara Local Governments, Olaide Popoola Settle and Hon. Musibau Shaba are few of the Governor’s committed and trusted loyalists who have executed programmes of the government to the best of their abilities in their respective council areas.
“Olaide Popoola Settle alone has done over 130 projects to the admiration of his people, while Shaba has remarkably etched his name in gold in Ona Ara. They are also the toast of the party leaders and members to continue their good works.
“But Mojeed Mogbonjubola Jagaban, who should be reflecting on his electoral future is hellbent on foisting and forcing a relatively unpopular candidate on the local government and has endorsed same to be Chairman contesting under the PDP for the forthcoming poll.
“Jagaban endorsed a certain Aspirant last Wednesday against the popular demand of the party leaders in Oluyole local government. He has become so notorious for this act and this is against the principle of collective bargaining.
“Twenty-two (22) leaders out of the 26 party leaders endorsed Olaide Popoola Settle for second term. He was one time Caretaker and later elected Chairman and has done wonderfully well to merit the return ticket of our party.
“Like Jagaban, the Deputy Speaker, Fadeyi has also become a thorn in the flesh of party leaders. Save for the Governor’s popularity and rating, Fadeyi was primed to lose last election as evidenced in the pre-election reports from across the 150 units in his constituency.
“Fadeyi cannot deliver any polling unit without the influence of His Excellency and the stakeholders in the constituency. The Governor should call the duo of Mogbonjubola Mojeed and Muhammed Fadeyi to order.
“Our Governor won the State and virtually all State constituencies for people like Fadeyi because of His Excellency’s personal reputation and not the PDP as a party that won the seat for him.
“The Governor should therefore rein in, on these people who are out to destroy his name in the name of unhealthy politicking and attempting to become emergency leaders in their respective local governments.” Ogungbade added.
