The Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State has begged it’s supporters in the state not to be discouraged by the party’s defeat by the All Progressives Congress in the March 28 presidential and National Assembly elections, saying the PDP’s loss is a temporary setback.
While addressing some of the party supporters from the 13 local governments in the Oyo North Senatorial District at Igbojaye at the weekend, Deputy Senate Whip, Hosea Agboola, expressed the optimism that PDP would soon bounce back.
He said the PDP’s poor outing last Saturday was due to the alleged incompetence of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The senator, who implored the supporters to remain calm and peaceful during the transition period , said efforts were on to restructure the party, adding that all was not lost and that it was important for the party to re-establish its presence.
Agboola reminded the people that the April 11 election offered an opportunity for the PDP to stage a quick return to reckoning in the state and nation’s politics.
He said, “We experienced a tough time in the last election but such time never lasts. It’s a phase that must pass. The earlier we redress the failure, the better for our great party. I appreciate your conduct during the election and implore you to be resolute. The loss to APC is very unfortunate but let me assure you that all hands are on deck to address the problem.
“The state House of Assembly and governorship elections are on the way; let me remind you that Teslim Folarin, the former Senate Leader, is the best candidate in the governorship race. We are certain that he will win on April 11 but he, like other contestants, needs your support and votes.
”We have assessed the last election and come to the conclusion that INEC’s partiality, malfunctioning of the card readers and inability of our people to vote accordingly were responsible for PDP’s defeat. We are looking into all these and other factors with a view to forestalling reoccurrence of such on April 11.”
He also told the supporters that there was no alliance between the PDP and any other political party and that the party would welcome new members before the next elections.
