A Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti state on Thursday engaged leaders and members of the party in Ekiti North Senatorial District.
Ayeni, who was the PDP Senatorial candidate in the 2023 general election met the stakeholders in Ido-Ekiti and discussed the future of the party ahead of the 2026 Governorship election.
Leaders and members of the party in their large numbers from Ido-Osi, Ikole, Moba, Ilejemeje and Oye Local Government Areas attended the meeting.
He appealed to the party members not to be deterred by the current crisis affecting the party, assuring them that the issues within the PDP would soon be resolved.
According to him, the people of the country and the state have been disappointed by the APC-led government with rising inflation, security challenges and poor infrastructures, noting that the people would protest against the government with their votes during the June 20,2026 election.
Ayeni said, ” PDP is my party, the party is strong, and I believe at every point in time there should be unity of purpose. I believe there should be shared value. For us, the only thing we can give back to this party is to make sure that it doesn’t die, the party is alive in our present time.
” When you see me now calling on my senatorial district to talk to people, it is to intimate them about the ongoings in the party. It is to also motivate them that they should go back home and remain strong as we prepare for elections to come.
” As you are aware, INEC has released the timetable for our election next year. Election is coming very soon, so as a party, we must continue to come together, press together, and then ensure that we are ready for elections to come.This is where the majority of the vote is coming from in the next election. I believe this is the time to start mobilizing and galvanizing our people towards making their vote count.Their vote cannot count if you don’t talk to them. And we are talking to ourselves in preparation for that.
On the challenges confronting the party both Nationally and the State level just about five months to the Governorship primaries, the PDP Chieftain added that, ” So if I may ask, is there any party that has no internal challenges? There is none. So of course, we can talk about the degree of challenges. I believe the National Working Committee is doing essentially what is required for us to be on the track again.
” I believe soon, the party will be able to overcome such internal challenges. There is a series of meetings going on, It is not about me. The party organ that is responsible for this is attending to it, I’m quite confident that all issues will be resolved. And in no distance time, the party will get its direction and then we’re able to face the election. ”
When asked on the chances of the PDP in the 2026 Governorship election in Ekiti State, Ayeni explained that the people of the are tired of the ruling APC and would be ready to send them parking in June next year due to the alleged poor governance of the present government.
” There is nobody that is happy about the ruling party at the moment, the entire nation is in disarray. Are we saying Ekiti is different from other people that are buying their petrol at how much they are buying it? Are we saying the roads in Ekiti are so beautiful now that everybody is happy? Are we saying the economic prosperity in Ekiti is something to write home about? If you believe that everything is not working, it’s as good as anybody in this government can be easily dislodged.
” What I’m saying now is that you have pushed people to the wall. People are not protesting, but they want to protest with their votes. The earlier they know that, the better. People want leadership that can actually manage the challenges that we have at hand. Hungry people on the street, roaming about the street, no work. How has the government been able to industrialize the state? How has the government been able to empower the youths? Our youths are riding Okada , Are we all happy with that? Those are the issues, and the issues and they are going to manifest in the vote of the people come June 20, 2026.
” What you have also seen is that people are keeping quiet because the power belongs to them and the power indeed belongs to the people. And when it belongs to the people, they have the mandate to use, and they are going to use it when it comes to that election.
” This is not about me. I have the strong belief that the party that should even be worried now is the APC because they have not done well,” he said.
He added, ” the confidence, you can see the way it reflects in the coming out of my people today. I believe more in the people. Of course, a party is a tool It’s a platform through which you actualize this. But the first thing first, and what is the first thing? Galvanize your people. Reinforce that belief, reinforce the trust.
” They believe in me. They know what I can do. Together, we are going to win the election. It’s simple, they want progress and equity. When you want progress, the only way you can change is through your vote. The party organ, like I initially said, they are working towards making it work at the center. I am not a member of National Working Committee.
” I am just a grassroots person and the vote is starting to count, and it will count in the coming election. So the confidence you can already see is in the people, not only in the party. Party is a tool to actualize this. When the people decide on what they want to do, they will focus on it and they will achieve it. That’s how we’re going.”
