Gift Barry-ObaThe Deputy Governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun state, Hon. Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade has decried that members of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) who defeated to the party are still treated as outsiders.
Recall that, Akinlade popularly known as Triple A in June 2022 defected to PDP with over 20,000 APM members in Ogun state.
Akinlade on Wednesday while addressing the aggrieved members of the defunct APM at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, urged the party’s state leaders to fully absorb the members into the mainstream of the party.
He added that since 2022, no member of the defectors has been issued membership cards of the party.
He maintained that, apart from Alh. Ganiyu Dada, the PDP Ogun West senatorial candidate, Hon. Lukmon Atobatele and Hon. Idowu Olowofuja of Abeokuta South state constituency 1 and 2 respectively in the 2023 general elections, most of his followers who had procured nomination forms in APC but were schemed out could not enjoy the same opportunity.
“In the first instance, by the time I was invited to the PDP in June 2022, the party had completed all congresses, primaries and candidates for the various elective positions affirmed. The offer of the slot of Deputy Governorship was possible because the party leadership at the National level graciously granted me a waiver in line with relevant provisions of the party guidelines and Constitution.
“After over 20 months of unrewarded sacrifices and denials, the APM family hereby wish to remind the Ogun State PDP stakeholders that we commenced this journey in July 2022 when it was neither fashionable nor profitable to do so, that we stood by the party even when, legacy PDP members were abandoning the party, that we attended all court proceedings that led to the party’s expulsion on the 27th of Septemenr, 2022.
“Despite all we have given and done for the party, we are still being called ‘APM People’. We are still being treated as outsiders. It is in light of this that we contacted the State Chairman Dr. Sikirulai Ogundele, who in turn advised that we formally write to the Party to present our demands.
According to Akinlade, absorbing the APM family fully into the party would enhance the commitment and confidence of thousands of his supporters to join hands in repositioning PDP for future electoral victories.
“I sincerely hope that the Party, both at the State and National levels, will consider our request favourably. Doing this will enhance the commitment and confidence of thousands of my supporters to join hands in repositioning our great party for future electoral victories both at the state and national levels.”
Responding, the PDP Chairman in Ogun state, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele commended Hon. Akinlade for toeing the path of greatness.
Ogundele said Akinlade had exhibited some leadership qualities at building bridges and resolving party disputes internally without escalating.
He, therefore, assured the aggrieved ‘APM members’ of integration into the PDP umbrella.
The PDP chairman noted that plans are ongoing by the National secretariat to register fully into the party in due time.
“Akinlade is a leader in every sense of it. He has demonstrated good leadership qualities with this approach. These qualities are genuine intention of going into relationship. Sincerity of purpose to go into political relationship.
“This meeting is for the progress of the party. You have the right to have a membership card because you have paid your dues and commitment. I’m with you on this struggle.”
