Osun 2026: Why PDP should rally round Adeleke to win – Former national ex-officio

Mr David-Kolawole Vaughan, a former two-term National Ex-Officio member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged party members in Osun to support Gov. Ademola Adeleke’s reelection bid.

Vaughan, a PDP chieftain in Lagos, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, said backing Adeleke on the Accord platform remained the best way to retain power in the state.

He warned that internal crises and leadership instability within the PDP created uncertainty, forcing Adeleke to seek another platform.

According to him, abandoning the governor now will weaken the opposition and give the All Progressives Congress (APC) victory.

Vaughan, who stressed that political survival requires strategy, not sentiment, said: “If they are smart, they should join with him so as to make sure that he gets reelected.

“Let’s be realistic with ourselves, the Osun PDP must join Adeleke if the party is smart. Support him now, secure victory first, then rebuild the party later.”

According to him, if the PDP structures are allowed to function freely and properly, Adeleke will win. If you study Osun well, the people are with him (Adeleke) now.

“He has moved into a contest movement. What he needs now is full backing, not division or sabotage from within.

“PDP members should be smart. If they are serious about winning Osun, they must join him and work together,” he added.

He said the PDP currently lacks a stronger candidate with comparable grassroots appeal to win Osun, except the party wanted to play into the hands of the former ruling party in the state.

Presenting another flag bearer, he added, would only split votes and reduce the party’s chances.

Vaughan described coalition politics as the opposition’s strongest weapon against the APC.

He, however, advised Adeleke “to be more flexible, bring people on board and run a vigorous, everyday campaign.

“And he should do a vigorous campaign because he is moving from a party that is well known to another party that is not well known. This is very important.”

On the national scene, Vaughan advised party leaders to stop sending party members away due to the unending leadership crisis, calling for an opening up of structures for wider membership.

“No one can own a political party like personal property. Let us end this crazy fighting and allow more people come in so the party can grow stronger and more elaborate.

“Politics is about relevance. People stay where they have hope and opportunity,” he said.

According to him, opposition parties can still defeat the ruling party through sincere alliances.

He noted that incumbency does not guarantee victory if the electorate unites.

“I won’t advise our members to leave the party for now. In the next month, the way things are, we can find a way between now and that time to correct some things in the party, and the party will bounce back,” Vaughan said.

Vanguard News

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