Former governors Ladoja, Alao Akala return to PDP

*As Makarfi says party can’t afford to cut corners again

Strong indications emerged on Wednesday that two former governors of Oyo state, Senator Rasheed Ladoja and Chief Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala, have returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

This indication emerged yesterday in Abuja during a meeting between the national leadership of the PDP and members of the Oyo state stakeholders of the party where the two former governors were represented.

This is even as the National Chairman of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi vowed that he will “stick to the party guidelines and constitution in doing whatever we do. We must stop cutting corners. We live in a high litigious society.”

Senator Ladoja and Chief Alao Akala, after serving single terms each, as governors of the state at different dispensations, defected to the Accord Party (AP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) respectively.

Representatives of the former governors participated in a meeting of PDP stakeholders in Oyo state and the national leadership of the party.

While Sen Femi Lanlehin was one of the representatives of Rasheed Ladoja, Biodun Tajudeen Kareem was among the allies Alao Akala.

Speaking with the PDP leaders from Oyo state, Makarfi who regretted that the party lost the state, noted that nobody stands to gain when internal acrimony results in loss of election.

He said “We are not in politics to suffer but form government,” adding “PDP was the dominant party in the state but internal crisis caused us to lose election.”

While stating that everybody would have been accommodated if they had won the election, the chairman asked “What are we benefitting for losing election now? Nothing. So we have to draw a line.”

He assured them that an inclusive caretaker committee will be setup soon, he said “After non elective convention set up an inclusive caretaker committee and conduct proper congress.”

Makarfi who also met with party leaders from Osun State, urged them to close ranks and worked together to reclaim the state.

While commending them for setting a record in forging a common front in the recent Osun West senatorial election, he urged them to sheathe their swords.

Reacting to conflicting Court judgments over party leadership in the state he said “If you wait for the conflicting judgments to be settled, it will get to Supreme Court and it won’t guarantee victory.

His words, “The problem is not as big as it is made to look like. All we need in our opinion is to resolve to accommodate and have a state committee that is inclusive.

“Short cuts in PDP won’t work anymore. It can be used against us when they see that we are winning.
If giving you will not mean victory or harmony then it is of no use to anyone.

“We should look out for our common interest and clear the mess so that when we succeed at the polls, that success won’t be at the mercy of the tribunal to interpret it any way it likes.”

Also yesterday, Sen Makarfi declared that the party cannot afford to cut corners anymore if it intends to thrive.
He stated this while hosting former PDP principal officers in the House of Representatives, who paid the national
leadership of the party a solidarity visit in Abuja.

Speaking at the meeting, with former principal officers Sen Makarfi, said “I will stick to the party guideline and constitution in doing whatever we do. We must stop cutting corners. We live in a high litigious society.

“When we cut corners thinking that nobody will not see you, a lot of people has seen you a lot of people have seen you, at a time you least expect, somebody will drag you to court again. Therefore, what is worth doing is worth doing well. We must consult on fundamental issues, use consensus as much as ‎possible and move forward.”

He added “We’ve gotten judiciary victory, we need to consolidate and translate it into political victory. Political victory means expanding the scope of the party, reconciling with the reconciliable and attracting members into the p