Out-going PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Odeyemi Calls For Scrapping of Offices of Deputies

The outgoing Deputy National Publicity Secretary and Chairman Deputies Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Diran Odeyemi has called for the scrapping of the position of Deputies in the party.

Speaking during the end of administration Valedictory session at Wadata, PDP National Secretariat on the December 8, 2021, Odeyemi revealed that the positions of Deputies did not come with any monetary allowance and that they were not given any.

“The essence of today’s event is to share experiences, give a four-year account as National Officers of the party and possibly make some suggestions for administrative purposes and put together some recommendations for future purposes.

“On Friday, it will be exactly four years that we were sworn in as Deputies/National Officers.

“We were all happy and came in peace with high hope, determination to serve, firmness of purposes and the mindset to add to the make-up of PDP as the most vibrant political party in Nigeria.

“Not quite a week after resumption and assumption of office, we were asked to go and read the constitution and should abide by the provision.

“It was an express order to keep us at bay. We were asked to reorientate ourselves of what the constitution says about our offices.

“Simply, we are to act in the absence of our principal officers. No one would pray for evil over a principal so as to be opportune to act.

“Instead, we always pray for them. We therefore remained an unused extra tyre, redundant and useless. Where necessary and where requested, we compliment their efforts,” he said.

Odeyemi stated that as Deputies they met officially with the former Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus only only three times, saying that he was never ready to meet with them, while their complaints for engagement were rebuffed.

According to him, hope to serve were dashed and they were rendered inconsequential, adding that they had to rely on rumour and earsay for information “about our dear party, we had to lobby for engagements and assignments.”

“Of course, our position as Deputies did not come with any monetary allowance and so we were not given. Even when there were social outing, we were never taken along. It was that bad.

“In all these oppressive mannerisms, we were not willing to rock the boat.

“I must however confess that we did not pray for our oppressors neither did we put a curse on them, but we told God to reward each and every one of us accordingly.

“Perhaps I need to talk about the episode of our resignation and withdrawal of the letters.

“We resigned in unison on the basis that if our presence meant nothing to the leaders our resignation should not be a problem. In short, we resigned purely on principle,” he said.

He explained that their decision to withdraw their letters of resignation few days after was based on the negative meanings read to it, but that on the advice and calls by their leaders, they acted to avoid misconceptions.

He stressed that their colleagues wanted to call for a constitutional review of what they had as a constitution, and advised that the party should scrap the position of Deputies or give them roles.

“I consider it an act of foolishness for a daughter to teach her mother how to bear children.

“Mr Secondus is politically experienced, but I however still want to advise him that there is time for everything.

“Time to sow and time to reap. Time to laugh and time to cry. Time to fight and time to let go. I pray that God will guide him right.

“Advise for incoming National Chairman, sir please be just, fair and seek God’s guidance on issues that comes to your table.”The system that enthroned you can remove you at anytime. It is our style in PDP, hosanna today crucify him tomorrow. In whatever position we find ourselves, let us be reminded that there will be tomorrow,” he said.