Oyo PDP Plots Deputy Gov’s Removal over Defection to APC

Ololade Adeyanju/

The  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State has vowed to remove the deputy governor of the state, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, if he fails to resign from his position.

The party stated this in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, today. 

Olaniyan announced his defection from PDP to All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday.

However, PDP enjoined Olaniyan to resign voluntarily because he has abandoned the political party and the votes that made him deputy governor while reminding him that the ticket is a joint one.

The party said that it was determined to retrieve the party’s mandate being held illegally and unlawfully by Olaniyan.

“It is only when you contest election as an independent candidate and win and then decide to move to any political party of your choice that you become the owner of the votes cast by the electorates, unfortunately for Olaniyan he wants to eat his cake and still have it.

“Our position is simple and very clear on this matter and as a matter of legal implication, the votes in any election in Nigeria are to political parties, and not candidates.

“Failure to follow this advice and adhere strictly to it from the PDP which is the legitimate owner of every single vote cast by the electorates in the 2019 governorship election, the PDP shall not hesitate to immediately deploy every constitutional means to prevent this daylight robbery.

“We’re determined and resolved to retrieve the party’s mandate being withheld illegally and unlawfully by the deputy governor, Engr Rauf Olaniyan because it belongs to the people of Oyo State who have handed same to the PDP,” the statement reads in part.

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