THIS week, I took time off my busy schedule to interview Prince Francis Omo-Osunde Iyasere, a one time PDP Publicity Secretary in Edo State, and one time Member of the Presidential Committee on Peace and Conflict Resolution in the Niger-Delta, Chairman of Edo State Committee on Peace and Conflict Resolution, immediate past member South-South PDP Exco, on thematic issues bothering PDP in Edo State especially and other related issues such as the recently passed Electoral Bill. As usual, the political strategist bore his mind in his well known frankness and intellectually deposited what is expected of him.
Dele: Sir, its been a while.
I want to know specifically what are your thoughts and chances of PDP in Edo State ahead of the 2023 elections.
Iyasere: Well, at our level, what we do basically is to watch and speak less until we are called upon to speak on thematic issues. I have always wished for a very united, purpose-driven, peaceful and strong party. Also, I think often of an all inclusive government where the governor is seen as the political father of all members of the party, and as we say in PDP, under one umbrella that is big enough to accommodate everyone. We are very close to the time where if we put ourselves together in a peaceful coexistent manner, we will reap from this understanding. It will be difficult not to accept that there are clear divisions in PDP of today in Edo State which was occasioned by misunderstanding of intents, however this division can be closed if we come together as members of the great party to iron out our differences. There is no political challenge that is not surmountable. Even the Russian-Ukraine war will be settled through diplomatic channels in spite of the unfortunate casualties. We must continue to toe the path of peace, that’s been my position from day one.
Dele: A critical issue raised by the now known Old PDP members during this imbrioglio is that they have been frozen out from the government of Governor Godwin Obaseki despite being instrumental in winning the 2020 gubernatorial election. What is your sincere take on this?
Iyasere: As a matter of fact, it is unfortunate how things has turned out due to the protracted face-off between the so called Old PDP and the Governor, as it were. There were so many party members particularly those in various executive positions in the party who wanted to serve in this government, unfortunately, it didn’t happen as expected. We must also understand that not all party members can serve in the government. It’s either they were not chosen at their ward levels or as assumed, they were seen as Old PDP members. Be that as it may, I think we can look over that past so that we can embrace what is before us, which is the 2023 elections.
Dele: Now, the face-off is still on, what are the chances of the so called New PDP members who wish contest elections in the state into various elective positions bearing in mind that the so called Old PDP members populate the executives of the party since harmonization did not work, which would have helped to infuse and integrate both sides?
Iyasere: I must confess it is a very critical point you have raised Dele. There are as so many so called New PDP members who wish to use PDP as a platform to contest in the forthcoming elections. I know a handful if not more. However, how easy it will be for such members to get party tickets under this unfavourable condition caused by the acrimony and unnecessary disagreement is another difficult nut to crack, I must confess. This is why when this unhealthy political diet was being served, we didn’t like it because we foresaw the end result.
Dele: What do you think should be the solution to this? Should the Old PDP members who are basically in charge of the exco use it to favour themselves alone just as the government seems to have favoured mostly the New PDP members?
Iyasere: Well, I don’t think it’s the right thing to do considering the fact that the unity of our party, which I am more interested in than anything, would be adversely affected. For elections, we would be needing both members of the divide for us to win. So there is urgent need for us a political family to come back to the negotiating table with workable solutions to enable everyone have the sense of belonging, and for PDP to remain very strong in Edo State ahead of the general election and others.
Dele: What is your take on the Electoral Bill that have been passed into law by Mr. President? I know you were critical of him for delaying the passage.
Iyasere: I want to use this medium to thank Mr. President for the passage even when it is long overdue. This will help undoubtedly give us credible elections, and pave way for innovations in the nearest future. We are in the 21st century, we must be forward thinking especially with the kinds of information and communication technology we are now exposed to.
Dele: What is your take on the issue of zoning generally sir?
Iyasere: See Dele, the reason political parties go into elections basically is for them to win elections, nothing more. Political parties lose elections when there is no strategic planning before elections.
This may be occasioned by misunderstanding, selfish interests and egos. They allow their self-centeredness to becloud their sense of reasoning. It amounts to a political suicide for a political party to zone very key elective position to where the party is absolutely weak just because some leaders from the zone want their zones to benefit but failing to take into account what happens if this zoning occasion their loss in the election. No political party plans to fail. For example, the electoral misfortunes of the PDP in Zamfara has been as a result of lack of strategic planning ahead of elections. Zamfara Central Senatorial District is the most populated zone in terms of voters, however, the party has always deprived it from fielding aspirants for the position of the governor. This is one of the major reasons why PDP has always lost in the state until recently the party got it through the courts. If PDP is to win that state without much ado, it should be ready this time around to break the jinx by fielding a popular candidate from the Central Senatorial District.
Dele: Don’t you think sir, with due respect, without zoning, some Senatorial District that are of the minority will not be carried along? That is such zones will never be able to produce aspirants for elective positions.
Iyasere: Well, politics is not about sentiments, its basically about winning and being in power. Those are the fundamental reasons why people go into politics. You must choose between winning and being in power, and playing the sentiment cards of zoning.
Dele: So what is your advice to PDP in Edo State going forward?
Iyasere: Let us put our house together, it is the first winning strategy for any political party. A house divided cannot stand. We must sit down together and talk about the issues that ail us.
There are no perfect parties in the world, but the ability to resolve issues of differences as they come is key. I know a lot of talks are going on as we speak, and I am encouraging stakeholders to continue to do so across the 3 Senatorial districts. And for the young generation without voters cards and party, go and register as voters since the excercise is still on, join PDP that is capable of rescuing the nation from the claws of APC.
Dele: Thank you sir for your time.
Iyasere: Thank you Dele