PUNCH Newspaper, one of the Nation's leading dailies should have known better than to take such serious PDP matter from a former party executive whose relationship with the party is dubious, to put it mildly. How could PUNCH believe that a former Publicity Secretary who has been missing in action for years has authority to speak for PDP , except it is in search of a sensational news item to boost sales !
And why would Barrister Taofiq Gani , a once upon a time Publicity Secretary take it upon himself to invite Governor Sanwo-Olu to a party which he himself has had nothing to do with in years, except he is been paid by someone to cause mischief for PDP ?
On his part, Sanwo-Olu's response exposed him as the Political lightweight he is rumored to be. Calling Gani's offer to Cross over to PDP a Greek Gift implies that he took the offer seriously, though he found it unacceptable.
Furthermore, although Gani erred in reaching out to the governor, he never said Sanwo-Olu would get a automatic ticket. He only said the governor would be welcome to contest.
There have been speculations lately about Sanwo-Olu's chances of a second term in office. His making much a doo about Gani's imaginary offer is a ploy to send a message to his detractors in APC. He seized the opportunity to let his party know that he's loyal , and conversely to warn the APC that a ticket was waiting for him in the PDP.
Since the defection of Jandor and his Lagos4 Lagos Group from APC to PDP, the APC has taken an uncanny interest in PDP affairs. APC'S propaganda is designed to portray the PDP as a dumping ground where anything goes ; a Party which goes around begging people to come and take Political office.
Contrary to APC'S propaganda, it was not the PDP which approached Jandor to join the Party. It was after Jandor and his mentors had expressed an interest in joining the party that he was encouraged to formalize his membership. And becoming a member of PDP does not guarantee becoming a candidate. What PDP promises is access to the ballot , an opportunity to contest as an aspirant.
PDP stakeholders, and Jandor himself have said repeatedly that all PDP has done is welcome new members to opportunities available in the party. It is only in APC that the Jagaban Borgu can issue you a ticket as if it's a bus pass.
Governor Sanwo-Olu calling a PDP Gubernatorial ticket " worthless" is laughable. Here is a governor who is popularly referred to as " Tinubu's Personal Assistant " (Tinubu's P.A.) on account of his slavish dependence on former Lagos State governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Mr Governor, I put it to you that what is worthless is not the PDP governorship ticket, but your own leadership. Let me remind you of a few examples of your failings ; the #ENDSARS catastrophe was on your watch. During your tenure quality of life in Lagos State has hit an all-time low. And under your leadership your Party, APC is in turmoil from which it may never recover.
You may cast aspersions on PDP as much as you like ,but this much is certain, the disarray within your party, coupled with your own woeful record make it inevitable that in 2023, the governorship as well as many other elected offices will be won by candidates of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP).
Dr Adetokunbo Pearse, Public Affairs Analyst, PDP Stakeholder, Convener RESET LAGOS PDP
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