Police Affairs Minister, Navy Capt Caleb Olubolade, has noted that the crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party, PDP at the national level was an indication that the party is not against democratic culture.
The Minister was reacting to the crisis rocking the PDP over the fractionalisation of the PDP group into Bamangar Tukur and Kawu Baraje’s groups , which was the fallout of the special convention held on August 31.
Addressing some party supporters in Ekiti South Senatorial District at a rally held at Ilawe Ekiti, in Ekiti South-west Local Government yesterday, added that “In any party, there will always be differences and dissenting voices”
But , the beauty of it is that the party should find a way round it. So, our party leaders are holding series of reconciliation meetings with the aggrieved party. They are listening to their demands and the matter will be resolved”.
Against the backdrop of the agitations by some aspirants, including former Governor Ayodele Fayose that primaries should be conducted to select the Governorship candidate, Olubolade , said nobody can overrule President Goodluck Jonathan among the contending forces on the consensus option.
According to him, those going against the consensus idea of the president were only
being rude to the President, urging them to retrace their steps and listen to the voice of wisdom.
Olubolade said the task of dislodging the All Progressive Congress,
APC out of the
State in 2014 is a collective responsibility of all the party members, urging them to shun ego and coalesce efforts for the dream to be actualised.
Olubolade said: “Nobody can say among the aspirants that he is against consensus, except the bad ones. If we adopt consensus, Mr. President will go all out to support us. No aspirant can force the leaders into primaries only the party members like you can decide”.
The Minister said: “Mr. President is serious that PDP will come to power in Ekiti in 2014 whether they like it or not. But before we can do this, you have to register as voters, so that you can make rigging impossible during the election.
“And one thing is very paramount, that is the unity of the party. The unity should be sustained. With unity, we can go places”.
He said he would continue to give the party a strong financial backing for it to overcome all challenges and operate freely.