>
By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Oluwole Oke, has called on aggrieved members and stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to stop attacking Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over the party’s forthcoming primary and governorship election in Osun State.
Recall that the supporters of Sen. Ademola Adeleke, one of the PDP governorship aspirants in Osun State had last week accused Makinde of meddling in the affairs of the state chapter of the party.
But Oke, in a statement issued on Sunday, urged those concerned to remain calm, focused and prayerful towards recording victory in the July 16 election.
The lawmaker, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, described Makinde as “an astute and pragmatic party leader.”
“Recently, l have observed a flood of criticisms towards the doorpost of Governor Makinde over his action or inaction on the evolving PDP matters in Osun State, which is uncalled for, unwarranted, misplaced and misdirected.
“I cannot still wrap my head around how Governor Makinde has in any way constituted an impediment in any way in the wheel of progress of our great party and indeed Osun State,” Oke said.
While noting that the issues like those in the PDP often arise when an election is approaching, the lawmaker said: “All the real and perceived problems within PDP in the state are not beyond amicable resolution and I commend our elders and leaders for their meaningful mediation which is already yielding fruitful results.
“I consider our problem, or do I say matter, as local and domestic which can and will be resolved domestically. Therefore, let us be civil, couth and display maturity in the use of words.
“Beyond politics, let us see and embrace ourselves as brothers and sisters in dealing with one another, in order to collectively build a virile PDP capable of winning all the elections resoundingly.
“We need to be diplomatic, strategic, calm, calculative, methodical and decent in our approach to the conduct of free and fair primaries.”
Oke also explained that Makinde did not declare his support for any of the governorship aspirants in Osun State as being alleged by a group within the party in the state.
“He is a credible leader whose concern is basically for the victory of the party in all the elections,” the lawmaker added.