The Publicity Secretary of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State, Mr. Wale Ozogoro, says in this interview with ABIODUN BADEJO that the party is yet to be informed of the plan of Governor Olusegun Mimiko to defect to the party.
How did you receive the news of Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s planned defection to the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP?
The Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo state is not aware of the coming of Governor Olusegun Mimiko to the party despite the fact that it has been widely reported in the media.
However, we are aware that he has spoken to some of his aides and colleagues in the Labour Party that he would be leaving for the PDP. But as at the moment I am talking to you, we have not received any formal information from the governor.
But he must have intimated the PDP national leadership with his defection decision. What do you think?
The leadership of the party is yet to be informed. Even if he has informed the PDP at the national level, there is still the need for him to inform the state leadership of the party. It is that information that will bring about round table discussions that will eventually facilitate soft landing for him.
What’s going to happen if he eventually informs the state leadership of the party of his plan to come?
If eventually the party receives formal information from the governor, there is the tendency that we are going to manage Mimiko to fit into the philosophy of the PDP. The philosophy of the LP is different from that of the PDP. So, that is why we will need to make him fit properly into the party.
What we have been doing for every new comer into our party is to make sure that they fit in into the philosophy of the party and transformation agenda of President Jonathan. What it means is that we are going to be doing an extra work in managing Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and the array of people that he will be bringing from the LP to the PDP.
We are aware that he will bring people who may be willing to contest elections in 2015 under our party. So, there will be the need to be asking for waiver for them at all levels. Secondly, there will be need for synergy between our party and the LP. There will be a need for a working paper for the marriage to be suitable.
Are you not worried that Mimiko will automatically become the PDP leader in Ondo State if he eventually defects to the party, being a governor?
One thing that is very important is that Mimiko must be ready to key into the philosophy of the PDP under the transformation agenda of the President. Nobody is contending the leadership of the party in Ondo State. The trend in the party recently is collective leadership and I think by the time Mimiko comes in, we may continue with collective leadership or choose a leader eventually.
Now that it is certain Mimiko will join the PDP, how prepared are your members for his coming?
We are well-prepared for his return. The elders of the party have met and liaised with the national leaders who have also said they were yet to be aware of his planned defection. So, we have prepared to receive him and those coming with him if they are ready to jettison the philosophy of the LP for that of the PDP.
We know he will add colour to our party and increase our chances of winning elections in the state. He is welcome, because we believe in free entry to the party. A lot of the LP members have been calling us; you know that they are now shouting the slogans of the PDP.
How would you react to the purported 60-40 agreement on sharing of positions said to have been reached between Mimiko and the PDP national leadership?
The agreement is not true. People have been saying a lot of things since last weekend when indications emerged that Governor Mimiko is coming back to our party. It has been rumoured that all the PDP structures at all levels in the state will be collapsed to accommodate Mimiko and his people. It has also been said that he will completely take over the party from us. But in a discussion with one of our leaders, Dr. Bode Olajumoke, Mimiko said he was coming to the PDP with an open mind. So, I believe the party exco at all level will still be intact. We have respect for Mimiko. Party politics is about wining elections and serving the people. I know that his coming to the PDP will change his style of leadership and the way he serves the people of the state.
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