‘Look At What Happened To Tinubu In Lagos, Osun’ – PDP Downplays Influence Of Bigwigs To Win Election

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has downplayed the influence of party bigwigs in winning elections, but emphsized reliance on eligible voters.

Abia Radio News reports that the PDP Chairman in Ondo State, Modupe Aisida, stated this on Thursday in Akure, noting that the party’s strength remains in the electorate despite the defections of some of its members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Aisida further recalled how President Bola Tinubu lost in Lagos and Osun States during the 2023 presidential election, stressing that it is a message that the party should not depend on its bigwigs.

He said, “Look at what happened in Lagos. Tinubu, as a former governor of Lagos State and Gov. Babajide Sanwolu lost in Lagos State during the 2023 presidential election.

“People were surprised because nobody saw it coming. Tinubu also lost in Osun State, his home state, in the presidential election. So, you can imagine the power of the people.

“That is why we should stop building strongmen. Whether you’re a governor or not, if you build strong institutions, people will exercise their franchise and they will make their choice known to everybody.

“For me, power resides with the people. I’m not bothered about most of those people who left the party.

“They rode in on the shoulder of the party, we worked for them, but we have moved on even nationally, we have moved on. It’s even good for the system.

“Let’s see how that will help some of these people who jumped ship in the next election. Thus, if we have free and fair election, then we’ll see how strong and popular they are.

“It’s about the people and that’s the truth. What the present scenario is telling us is that don’t rely on strong men in the party, rely on the ordinary folks out there.”

Speaking on speculation that the former President, Goodluck Jonathan, might contest the 2027 presidential election, the PDP chairman said that, as a democratic party, it would give every aspirant the chance to exercise their democratic right.

He added, “If former President Goodluck Jonathan decides to run, good, but the truth is, we are democrats. There will be primaries; we won’t prevent people who are interested from running. Everybody will be given that chance to exercise their democratic rights.”