A political observer from Oyo State, Olwale Oyetunji said the defection of the former Governor of Oyo state, Otunba Alao Akala and others will not affect the opposition party in the state. ABDULRAHMAN ZAKARIYAU brings excerpt.
What is your opinion on the defection of former Governor of Oyo state, Otunba Christopher Alao Akala?
The defection of the former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Alao Akala from Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressive Congress last weekend will no doubt change the political calculation of Oyo State. But in my opinion it is a welcome development and it is also the beauty of democracy, after all there are no law that prevent politicians from leaving a political party to another.
But if we look at it from another angle, you defection say a lot about the personality of the person. In less than 10 years former Governor has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Labour Party (LP) and now to the ruling party All Progressive Congress (APC), this speaks volume about is integrity and it clear revealed that Otunba is politically inconsistent.
This now bring a lot of question to once mind; was defection for personal interest or our geneue love to serve his people? Are there problems with all the political parties or the problems are with Otunba himself?
Could his and others defection indicate the end for opposition party in Nigeria?
No, it is not the end of opposition party. How can it be the end? Are they the only politicians in Oyo State? Though Otunba is a very big politician with support base at his home town Ogbomosho and Oke Ogun area, but it his beyond that. The opposition party, especial the PDP are waxing stronger in Oyo state and the incumbent party APC are losing the peoples support as most people are disappointed in the Ajumobi government.
In fact, with the defection of the former Governor, Rashid Adewolu Ladoja back to the PDP from Accord Party (AP) and with the support of the aggrieved indigents, opposition part like the PDP stand a better chance in Oyo politics come 2019. Ladoja is also a politician with very loyal and consistent followers, so with him in PDP opposition is not dead, but rather rejuvenating.
The statement attributed to APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu that “The defection of Alao-Akala and others to the APC is a clear pointer that opposition parties in the state were finished,’’ is probably another propaganda to demolish the opposition parties, especially the PDP. If you know the political history of Oyo state, you will agree with me that opposition will never die.
But, in a way their defection will affect the opposition party?
Hmmmm. It might and it might not, or let just say the effect will be insignificant. As the Nigerian political party is now like solder go, soldier come barrack remains. So as some politicians are leaving, others are coming back to add more value to the party.
So opposition party will not die, and the party these guys left from will not die. Let say this, if they left the PDP and other parties for reasons best known to them, they are likely going to face bigger challenges in the APC.
