Erstwhile Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, has urged the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State to step up their game as victory in the 2015 general elections will not be handed to them on a platter of gold.
Bankole, who is believed to be nursing a gubernatorial ambition, made the call on Monday at the party’s stakeholders’ unity forum held at Ilaro, the political headquarters of Ogun West Senatorial District.
The former speaker said all members of the party must unite in order to win various offices in the 2015 elections.
He cited the Ekiti State governor-elect, Ayodele Fayose’s victory; saying it should “serve as a wakeup call for all the members of the party in Ogun State to unite and work together.
“It is not yet time to drum and dance. But time to rebuild the party. I am exceedingly happy with what I am seeing here today. It is an indication that disunity within the party is over”, Mr. Bankole said.
“Let us start re-building the structure of the party, because time is no longer on our side. The in-fighting in the party is enough. We need to do our homework on how to rule this state again”, he added.
The former lawmaker also enjoined party faithful to go back their wards and local governments to mobilise the people.
“The 2015 general election is drawing nearer. We must go back to our different polling units, wards, local and state levels and be holding periodic meetings. We should encourage our members who have joined other opposition parties to return to PDP.
“No more in-fighting. We are now one big family. No one should be left behind, everyone is important. We are all equal. Nobody is above the party in the state”, he stressed.
Mr. Bankole also advised party members to be disciplined, as the party will not go far without it.
The forum was attended by some former members of the National Assembly from Ogun State, former and present members of the State House of Assembly, party leaders, and party members from the three senatorial districts attended the forum.