The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Barr. Dupe Aisida, has called on party members to put unity above personal ambition and to respect the democratic process that produces party leaders.
Speaking during a monitored interview on Fresh 102.9 FM, Akure on Monday, Aisida, amongst other issues, addressed internal disagreements within the party and clarified his stance on the principles guiding leadership selection in the PDP.
According to him, leadership in the PDP is not a personal or family inheritance but a product of democratic participation and party consensus. “It’s not a chieftaincy title tied to my family,” Aisida said. “It belongs to every member of the PDP. Only one person can emerge at a time, and as a loyal party man, once the process is credible, there’s no reason to fight it.”
Aisida explained that during the last internal selection process, the South Senatorial District had expressed strong interest in the position, but the party, in its wisdom, decided to zone it to the North for the sake of unity and fairness. “When the matter was zoned to the North, several aspirants from different local governments came out, including Hon. Ogungbuji. About seven of us went for an interview before the committee, and after deliberation, a report was issued, and one person emerged. The consensus process was aimed at maintaining harmony, but the option to obtain nomination forms from Abuja was open to anyone who disagreed,” he said.
The PDP Chairman criticized those who, after losing, resort to attacking party leaders and spreading misinformation. He described such actions as undemocratic and harmful to the collective interest of the party. “A true party man must learn to accept defeat. It’s a hallmark of a gentleman,” he added.
On efforts to reconcile with aggrieved members, Aisida confirmed that he personally reached out to Ogungbuji after the selection process. “I called him several times and even involved one of our foremost leaders to mediate. Politics should not divide brothers or destroy relationships built over the years,” Aisida noted.
He said it was surprising that, despite those reconciliation efforts, tensions still exist, but he emphasized that politics often comes with such challenges. “Anything can happen at any time, but our focus must remain on unity and progress. We should avoid rancor and work together for the success of the PDP,” Aisida concluded.
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