The National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Wale Oladipo, yesterday disclosed that the presidency does not fund the party’s campaigns.
Oladipo, who spoke with journalists at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, also accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of the violence which erupted in Ile-Ife, Osun State, and urged the security operatives to arrest “the leaders who led the onslaught.”
Reacting to the allegations by some PDP stalwarts, particularly the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, who declared that the over-militarisation of the Ekiti State election, resulted in PDP’s victory at the polls.
Oladipo said: “I make bold to say that the presidency does not in any way get involved in funding our campaigns.”
He added: “PDP is a grassroots party. This is the only party found in every village in this country and we have legitimate means of raising funds for our needs. This is a party that is not dominated by a few individuals”.
He further lambasted the Rivers State governor over the statement, noting that “Amaechi is so unpopular in his state. I pity him, he so confused because people have deserted him. He has seen the futility of the political step he has taken. So, it is natural for him to start running his mouth.”
Speaking on the violence in Ile-Ife, the national scribe of the PDP, who also hails from Osun State, stated that the plot of the APC is to instigate violence so that elections wont be conducted there.
He noted that the violent outburst of the APC was testament their jittery disposition ahead of the polls, having lost Ekiti State.
Declaring that “APC is a super minority in Ile-Ife”, Oladipo noted “the governor, Rauf Aregbesola and the APC are Jittery and trying to do everything so that the election wont hold.
“I make bold to say come August 9, Omisore will convincingly defeat Aregbesola. We believe one-man, in one-vote, they were stopped in their tracks when they tried to rig in Ekiti.
“I call on security agencies and others to wade in and arrest those raiding people. Ife is know for peace and we will continue to be peaceful.”
Commenting on the alarm raised by the APC over voters’ cards and the removal of the Osun State Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Ambassador Rufus Akeju, he noted that while INEC was doing the voters’ cards in phases, a competent court had raised questions over the neutrality of the REC.
Speaking specifically on the removal of the Osun REC, he said: “A court of competent jurisdiction questioned the neutrality of Akeju, yet the APC was just defending. Why would they continue to defend him, unless they have a deal. Why should they cry? Why is Lai Mohammed complain? It was obvious Akeju cannot be neutral. He was an aide to Tinubu. INEC has done the right thing by moving him away.
“I don’t think the APC is questioning the neutrality of the new man, Agbaje. I am confident that the PDP will win hands down.”
Noting that the odds were against the incumbent governor, Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of the polls, he stated that “Aregbesola has not deemed it fit to call a meeting of traditional leaders despite the fact that one of the highest traditional leader in Yoruba land is in Ife, Oni of Ife.”
He also added that the governor was at loggerheads with the civil servants.
He, however, rubbished allegations that Omisore was moving around the state with thugs as alleged by the APC, noting that “Omisore is followed by lawful security officers. Omisore is on ground, he knows the terrain of Osun.
“We don’t rent crowds. Omisore is not afraid of anybody. I am telling you confidently that Aregbesola is scared stiff.”
Speaking on the fate of Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Oladipo stated: “I am sure he will not do anything to jeopardise the PDP. He is my big brother, he is a prince and I am also a prince. God used some people like the Oni of Ife and Omisore to bring him in to be candidate for governorship. I know God has been faithful to him.”
He further thanked the South-west leaders for bestowing their trust in him, noting “under my watch, the South-west will give solid votes that will ensure that the transformation agenda of Mr. President continues.”
