Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-04 04:57:33
Kamarudeen Ajisafe, the newly elected National Vice Chairman Southwest of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is expected to energize the party across Yoruba land. However, many are skeptical about his ability to deliver beyond the desires of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
The ratification of Ajisafe’s position was strongly supported by Governors Makinde and Adeleke, who are widely regarded as his political godfathers. This indicates that Ajisafe’s initiatives must have their endorsements. Some political observers see him as a tool in the hands of the two governors, similar to the incumbent Deputy National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Taofik Arapaja, who is considered Makinde’s stooge.
Despite the support of the governors, there are concerns about Ajisafe’s ability to rectify the misfortunes that have befallen the party across Yoruba land in recent years. The absence of key political figures at the ratification event also lent credibility to the viewpoint that Ajisafe’s ratification might be an attempt to fulfill political obligations.
There are also questions about Ajisafe’s capacity to interact with influential politicians in the party, such as Ayo Fayose in Ekiti or Adebayo Dayo in Ogun, who has defected to the ruling APC. Additionally, Ajisafe may face challenges uniting the PDP in Lagos state and reconciling the factionalized members in Oyo state. The success of Ajisafe’s first task in Ondo State, leading the tattered PDP ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial poll, remains to be seen.
The history of the Southwest PDP’s struggle to unite political factions dates back to 2003 when it defeated the defunct Alliance Democracy in the region. Since 2015, the party’s fortunes have been dwindling, despite brief resurgences under Makinde and Adeleke in Oyo and Osun respectively. The party’s disunity led to significant losses in Lagos and Ogun states in the last general election, signaling a need for reinvigoration.
The challenges facing Ajisafe are not solely local, as the Southwest PDP has a history of internal squabbles resulting from leadership disputes. During the 2016 local council elections in Lagos State, confusion arose over which PDP faction was the authentic structure to engage with. This trend extended into Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti states, causing undue strain on the party’s unity.
There are no easy solutions. The region has been an ongoing challenge for the PDP since the administration of former president Olusegun Obasanjo, and past leadership disputes have further exacerbated the party’s inability to establish a cohesive presence.
Ajisafe’s ability to navigate these deep-rooted organizational challenges depends on his diplomatic and political skills, as well as his willingness to address longstanding grievances. His efforts, however, will undoubtedly shape the Southwest PDP’s path to reclaiming lost ground and strengthening its influence in the region. The road ahead will require not only alliance-building, but also innovative strategies to mend fractured relationships and re-establish the party’s statewide relevance.
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