Dayo Ogungbenro, chairman of the Oyo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dayo Ogungbenro, has said that it is an aberration for political appointees of a government not to identify with the party that brought in his or her principal.
Saying that there is no problem having coalition to form government, Ogungbenro explained that “the party gave birth to the government but immediately after giving birth to the government, the government becomes the pillar of the party. This is because the party has no distinct budget except the framers of our constitution will do the needful.”
OYOINSIGHT.COM understands that the candidates of the Action Democratic Congress, Femi Lanlehin; Zenith Labour Party, Sharafadeen Alli and others stepped down their ambitions for Seyi Makinde, who eventually won the 2019 election.
The Okeogun-born politician, who made this known in a chat with Nigerian Tribune, said “it all depends on the man at the helm of affairs. However, I see it as an aberration for political appointees of a government not to identify with the party that brought in his or her principal. I told the governor that it smacks out of complete ignorance for some political appointees to claim that they are not party members but are only in government to assist the Seyi Makinde administration. If the governor identifies with the party, why will a political appointee benefiting from the government shy away from identifying with the party? Are you saying if the governor says he is going for second term, you won’t work for him? Would you say you are only working for Seyi Makinde and will not work for the party? The governor during the courtesy call asked if everybody present at the excos chambers listened to what I told them. The relationship between the party and government is a reflection of the ability of the governor and that of the party chairman.”
He added that it would be his pride as chairman of the party for members of the coalition who are presently part of the Makinde government to officially declare themselves as members of the PDP?
“That will be my pride as party Chairman. After two years, you should decide what you want to do, particularly those coalition parties that really cannot win election.”
