The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the presidency does not finance its campaign war chest and other activities of the party.
PDP National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, who made this known in a chat with journalists in Abuja yesterday, said the ruling party is supported through grassroots mobilization.
Reacting to allegations by some All Progressives Congress, APC, stalwarts, particularly the Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi that the over-militarization of Ekiti State resulted in PDP’s victory at the recently concluded governorship polls, Oladipo said: “I make bold to say that the presidency does not in any way involve in funding our campaigns”.
He added “PDP is a grassroot party. This is the only party found in every village in this country and we have legitimate means of raising funds for our needs. This is a party that is not dominated by a few individuals; it is a party that is people oriented and will always get people to contribute to campaign funds legitimately, that is what we have been doing”.
He further lampooned the Rivers governor over the statement noting that “Amaechi is so unpopular in Rivers State. I pity him; he is so confused because people have deserted him. He has seen the futility of the political step he has taken. So, It is natural for Amachi to start running his mouth”.
Speaking on the violence in Ile-Ife, Oladipo, who also hails from Osun State, stated that the plot of the APC is to instigate violence so that elections won’t be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere as the APC leaders are afraid that what happened in Ekiti, where the PDP defeated the ruling APC, might also repeat itself in Osun next month when the people go to the polls to elect their governor.
“I make bold to say come August 9, Omisore will convincing defeat Aregbesola. We believe in one man one vote, they were stopped in their tracks when they tried to rig in Ekiti. I call on security agencies and others to wade in and arrest those raiding people. Ife is known for peace and we will continue to be peaceful”, he said.
Speaking on the removal of the Osun REC ahead of the Osun governorship elections, he said “a court of competent jurisdiction questioned the neutrality of Akeju, yet the APC was just defending. Why would they continue to defend him? Unless if they have a deal. Why should they cry? Why is Lai Mohammed complaining? It was obvious Akeju cannot be neutral. He was an aide to Tinubu. INEC has done the right thing”.
