From Bola Ogunlayi
Former governor of Oyo State and chieftain of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Sen. Rashidi Ladoja has stated reasons why he would not intervene in the ongoing crisis between his party and Governor Seyi Makinde.
While addressing reporters recently on the occasion of his 75th birthday in Ibadan, the state capital, the High Chief revealed that other leaders of his party restrained him from intervening in the crisis, saying they insisted on handling it their own way.
It would be recalled that the former governor was the arrowhead of the alliance of political parties formed to work for Makinde’s victory in the March 9 election.
Makinde’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ladoja’s ZLP, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) fused together to form the alliance.
ZLP leaders were allegedly unhappy with Makinde over distribution of political appointments since his assumption of office on May 29.
It was gathered that the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Alli, had indicated his interest in the position of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) but the governor did not oblige him.
Instead, Makinde appointed Alli as a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council, a position the latter rejected.
It has resulted into cold battle between him and the governor.
Some ZLP members are accusing Makinde of reneging on the alliance agreement of giving 15 per cent of all positions to their party.
Political watchers had expected Ladoja to intervene but the former governor said Makinde treats him as an individual political leader, and that he respects the governor’s decisions and those of the ZLP.
Gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Senator Femi Lanlehin whose party also supported the incumbent Governor to defeat the All Progressive Congress (ADC) also took exception to sharing of positions by Engr Seyi Makinde.
He announced his withdrawal from the alliance with the governor accusing him of reneging on their earlier agreement made at the wee hour to the governorship election.
Reflecting on his 75 years of living, Ladoja explained that his experience has been rich with several successes and disappointments in all spheres of life.
But he expressed satisfaction with the contributions he has been opportuned to make as a politician and creature.