The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has declared that its electoral fortunes are tied more to the will of the voters than to the clout of political heavyweights, even as it admits that influential figures can be an added advantage.
Speaking in Akure, the state PDP Chairman, Mr Modupe Aisida, said the party’s true muscle lies with the electorate, insisting that defections by governors and other top figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have not diminished the PDP’s grassroots strength.
He pointed to recent electoral upsets to drive home his point, noting that political power can slip through even the strongest fingers when the people decide otherwise.
“Look at what happened in Lagos. Tinubu, as a former governor of Lagos State and Gov. Babajide Sawolu lost in Lagos State during the 2023 presidential election.
“People were surprised because nobody saw it coming. Tinubu also lost in Osun State, his home state, in the presidential election. So, you can imagine the power of the people.
“That is why we should stop building strongmen. Whether you’re a governor or not, if you build strong institutions, people will exercise their franchise and they will make their choice known to everybody.
“For me, power resides with the people. I’m not bothered about most of those people who left the party.
“They rode in on the shoulder of the party, we worked for them, but we have moved on even nationally, we have moved on. It’s even good for the system.
“Let’s see how that will help some of these people who jumped ship in the next election. Thus, if we have free and fair election, then we’ll see how strong and popular they are.
“It’s about the people and that’s the truth. What the present scenario is telling us is that don’t rely on strong men in the party, rely on the ordinary folks out there,” he stated.
Aisida questioned the wave of defections to the APC, describing them as moves driven largely by personal ambition rather than public interest. He stressed the need to educate voters on the power of their ballots, urging them to resist the temptation of selling their votes during elections.
On speculations surrounding former President Goodluck Jonathan’s possible interest in the 2027 presidential race, the PDP chairman said the party’s democratic culture guarantees a level playing field for all aspirants.
“If former President Goodluck Jonathan decides to run, good, but the truth is, we are democrats. There will be primaries; we won’t prevent people who are interested from running. Everybody will be given that chance to exercise their democratic rights,” he said.
He added that lessons had been learnt from the events leading to the 2023 presidential election, revealing that the party has zoned the 2027 presidency to the South.
Dismissing claims of internal cracks, Aisida maintained that the PDP remains united at both state and national levels, explaining that what exists are differing opinions and interests, not factions or divisions.
