The attention of concerned aspirants, members, and stakeholders within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ona-Ara Local Government has been drawn to recent political developments suggesting the emergence of a House of Assembly candidate from the same ward as the current Local Government Party Chairman.
While we acknowledge that the Constitution of our great party does not expressly prohibit such an occurrence, we emphasize that the guiding principles of the PDP strongly uphold equity, fairness, inclusiveness, and internal democracy as the bedrock of its operations.
Importantly, Chapter II, Section 7(3)(c) of the PDP Constitution clearly provides for“adhering to the policy of the rotation and zoning of Party and Public elective offices in pursuance of the principle of equity, justice, and fairness.”
It is on this constitutional foundation that aspirants, party members, and stakeholders have collectively raised serious concerns over what appears to be a concentration of both party structure and elective opportunities within a single ward—a development that runs contrary to the spirit and intent of zoning and balanced representation which the PDP has consistently championed over the years.
The PDP Constitution further promotes:
• Fair distribution of political opportunities across wards and communities
• Transparent and credible democratic processes
Avoidance of domination by any single group or interest bloc
In light of these provisions, we respectfully submit that producing both the Local Government Party Chairman and a House of Assembly candidate from the same ward may:
• Undermine the principle of equitable representation
• Create a sense of marginalization among other wards
• Threaten the unity and cohesion of the party at the grassroots level
We wish to state unequivocally that our position is not driven by personal interest, but by a collective commitment to protecting the integrity, credibility, and electoral strength of the PDP in Ona-Ara.
We therefore call on:
• Party leaders and stakeholders at all levels
• The State Working Committee
• All well-meaning members of the party
to urgently intervene and ensure that justice, fairness, and due process are upheld, in line with the provisions of the party’s constitution, while giving due consideration to the concerns raised by aspirants and party members regarding inclusiveness and balance.
The strength of our party lies in its ability to carry everyone along. Any action perceived to favor a select few at the expense of the majority risks weakening our collective resolve and undermining our chances in future elections.
We should know that internal democracy must not only be practiced but must also be seen to be practiced.
We remain committed to the ideals of the PDP.
We will continue to advocate for a process that reflects the will of the people, respects zoning principles, and promotes unity across all wards in Ona-Ara Local Government.