Chief Dare Adeleke is the interim committee chairman of the Ekiti state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with TAIWO ADISA, he talks about the state of the party, his relationship with former Governor Ayo Fayose and the determination of stakeholders to reposition the party ahead of the next gubernatorial election in 2026. Excerpts:
You are the Acting Chairman of the Ekiti State PDP. At the moment, the party appears to be in disarray, especially after former Governor Ayo Fayose endorsed the incumbent for a second term. Is there any hope for redemption?
It is obvious that the opinion you reiterated comes from the perception of people who are not in Ekiti State. Ekiti is a PDP state for the simple fact that we have produced at least three governorships. So when you look closely, you will know that the PDP is rooted in Ekiti State. Former Governor Ayo Fayose may have aligned himself with Governor Biodun Oyebanji, but that does not mean that the PDP has come under his shadow. The truth of the matter is that it is Fayose himself who created all this fuss and we are trying to put things right. That is Fayose democracy, it is very funny to me because you are in a particular party and you still support another party. And this is a party that gave him two mandates. What I kept wondering is that he was governor in his first term and more or less impeached afterwards. The party, being quite magnanimous, granted him a second term, believing he would show repentance. Before that, he ran under the Labor Party to become a senator and lost miserably. He also worked against Segun Oni, but Oni won. The same person is now taking the same steps that he took towards Oyebanji.
I believe that the PDP governments left the state in better conditions than it is in now. Ekiti is a state that everyone calls the Fountain of Knowledge, but you can compare the score in WAEC, NECO and the health system and see what you have.
So you are saying that the PDP in Ekiti is not dead?
Yes, he is not dead but is getting stronger. All leaders and stakeholders are coming together; Now they sing the same song, which shows that we are now moving from the dead end to a new life. We are trying to establish a versatile and cohesive congress where all leaders will speak in unison. What we are planning to do is reach a consensus agreement so that there is no problem of factions, frauds and things like that. And I thank God that people are listening to us and we are moving towards that stage.
So are you sure that by the time the elections are over in 2026 and 2027, the PDP will be able to give Ekiti APC a run for its money?
There is no doubt about that. In fact, before reaching that stage, the Ekiti State Government and the Ekiti State Governor are even nervous because they have seen that the people and the PDP in the state are recovering and that is a sign. will favor the PDP in 2026.
With or without Fayose?
Fayose isn't even a factor in what we're talking about. By bringing Fayose into Ekiti PDP now, he will disrupt the deal. He doesn't have what it takes to win for us. He doesn't even have what it takes to win on his own. Don't forget that Fayose sponsored Professor Eleka and lost unfortunately. Fayose sponsored Bisi Kolawole and lost. So including it in what we are doing now will give us a negative result.
Looking at your administration in Oyo State, you were Chairman of Pacesetter Transport Service (PTS) during your tenure, some people felt that they did not see the visibility of the transport service unlike the days of TCTC, under the military. What really happened?
I won't agree with that. We really did the best we could, just as Governor Seyi Makinde did, especially in the purchase of 65 buses which he injected into the system. Two-thirds of the buses we found on the ground were actually scrap metal. We did the best we could for the state and that is why people praised my tenure when I was president. It was during our time that we brought in new buses and people saw the impact of those buses in every corner of Ibadan, especially people traveling to and fro. If you remember, the time I came in was when we had the COVID-19 pandemic, cash shortages and other things like that. However, I can tell you that Governor Makinde went above and beyond for us and we had a great time.
Considering the PDP as a party, are you impressed with the level of opposition the party offers at the national level?
To be sure, we have not fielded a vibrant opposition and things are not as they are supposed to be. When you look at this moment and the circumstances, I find it very strange in politics that people from one party take appointments in another party and it is not as if there is a government of national unity. I can say that people at the national level of the party are doing their best, but maybe it is not good enough so far. I saw many things at the PDP NEC meeting in Abuja. When they invited the president, he revealed many things and certain things I don't want to talk about. But the problem we are having in the PPD is within the PPD. Because if the PDP, as a party, decided to carry their cross, it will not be as heavy as if someone else tried to carry it for them. So, they are doing the best they can, but that may not be to our liking for now.
Chief Bode George recently said that the acting national president should not pass on the term of the dismissed Dr Iyiorcha Ayu, who is from the Central North because he is from another area. But the party has not been able to hold its CNE. What do you say to that?
Chief Bode George's opinion is based on a constitutional provision. And when you look at those opinions, you would agree with him that he is a veteran in this game. So, he knows very well what he is saying and has served the party creditably. But when the tradition is analyzed, it is discovered that the acting national president has not said that he will not leave. Don't forget Ayu withdrew his case not long ago, but the people of North Central who are seeking the presidency, are they ready? They have not removed any candidate from the area. Remember that the CNE is not for election, but for selection. If people from the North Center come, they must speak with one voice and enter with one person.
Given the way the crises in the PPD are prolonging, don't you think there will come a point where you will start to lose your main leaders? Did you just lose a representative member?
I don't think so. You know we won't have elections until 2027. Of course, when you look at the recent ones that were held in Ondo and Edo states, it was a daylight robbery. Recently I was watching television where Osita Chidoka, who left the PDP, was speaking as an electoral analyst and analyzing the elections, but Kassim Afegbua, who defended the APC, was speaking like a buffoon. We need to listen to Chidoka so we can prevent this from happening in the future. The problem we have in Nigeria is that we will criticize something we should not criticize. Was it not the late President Umaru Yar'Adua who admitted that the election that produced him was flawed? Although the PPD won the elections. That was a man of honor. He admitted as president that something was wrong during the election and he didn't mince words when he said it. When you look at it from that angle, you will know that the party should not be so worried because we still have men of honor among us. We will do well as a party, I think that should be in February. When we do it well, we can move forward.
As for the elections in Ondo State, perhaps we lost it because we did not prepare very well. And some of the party's stakeholders and actors, such as former governor Mimiko, did not support the party's candidate. And some of our party leaders remained silent as if nothing was happening. That was very unfortunate. We will have a meeting soon and I will raise this issue of electoral management to say that this particular attitude towards elections must be changed.
Speaking of elections and the constant bickering that follows each electoral circle, is the PDP proposing any electoral reforms?
We know that whatever reforms we have done so far in Nigeria, they were driven by the PDP. All the good things came from the PDP but time does not allow me to start counting. Was it not the same President Buhari who refused his consent when they wanted him to sign the amended Electoral Act? Now, President Bola Tinubu has arrived there and we know all the issues that arose during his election. I hope that this government will try as much as possible to institute some reforms and build that reputation for the judiciary as we need it. That the judiciary be independent. They should not tempt them with land, housing and all that. They should leave them alone.
Where do you hope to leave the PDP in Ekiti State at the end of your term?
I want the party to stand the test of time. The party that people would trust; a party that will move to Government House in 2026. I want to take this opportunity to thank the leaders for being together. People like Senator Duro Faseyi, Senator Biodun Olujimi and virtually all former members of the House of Representatives, also former presidents. We recently held a stakeholders meeting and we all spoke with the same voice, saying that it was time to work towards the goal and that the people of Ekiti State yearn for change.
The APC National Chairman, Ganduje, has said his party was ready to take over Osun and Oyo States. How prepared are you for the Tsunami?
What do you expect from him? Let them try it. Whatever we have decided in Oyo and Osun is what we will do because people believe in the party and we are doing what is right for the people. Look at the governor of Osun State and his midas touches in every corner of the state. That is exactly what Governor Makinde is doing in Oyo State as well. You remember the lighting project you have done; the roads and all the things you are currently doing. He's trying to do the best he can and we just want him to continue with that. In both States there is absolutely no place for the APC.
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