By Wole Adedeji, Ilorin
The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has resolved to bring back old members, who dumped the party in the build-up to the 2019 general elections.
To prove its seriousness about bringing back into its fold old and aggrieved members, the party gave an assurance that it would give Kwarans life abundant when it eventually comes back to power.
Recall that some notable politicians had earlier dumped the PDP in 2019 and these included: a former chairman of the federal Character Commission, Professor Shuaib AbdulRaheem; a former chairman of the PDP in the state, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo; and Chief Rex Olawoye.
Others were the two current members of the House of Representatives, Hon. AbdulGaniyu Cook-Olododo and Hon. Yekeen Alajagunsi, Hon. Moshood Mustapha, Alhaji Saliu Mustapha and Alhaji Yinka Aluko, among others.
Addressing journalists in Ilorin, the state capital, shortly after his inauguration as the Chairman of the Contact and Reconciliation Committee, former National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, said no efforts would be spared in bringing back old members of the party, who have joined other political parties.
Baraje added that the committee would also visit nooks and crannies of the state to meet with aggrieved members of the party, reconcile and bring them back into the fold.
He said while doing this, he would ensure that the grievances of those that had left for other parties and the aggrieved ones who are still in the party’s fold are genuinely and holistically addressed.
Baraje also disclosed plans to meet with every stakeholder of the party, including youths and women, with a view of ironing out issues and bring the party to unison ahead of the 2023 general elections.
He said, “We have also resolved that those who have openly expressed their grievances will form those that we will first meet. There are many of our stakeholders who deserve to be consulted. We will go to such people.
“We will not wait to invite them. We will give them the respect they deserve by visiting them.
“We are also aware there are so many aggrieved voices within our party and we have identified the various levels that are available. We have listed them and we intend to interact with all of them.”
