By Ayodele Oni
A former Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has observed that the party is toeing the same path which led to its destruction in 2015.
Adeyeye, a former Minister of state for works, now a member of All Progressive Congress, (APC) and leading campaigner of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for President, noted that PDP is repeating same errors that sunk the party in the 2015 Presidential poll.
The former Minister, who spoke during a television programme on Thursday, stated that with the current gale of crisis within the PDP, it may be difficult for it to win 2023 presidential election.
He was of the view that sharp divisions in the PDP have weighed the party down, hence affecting the chances of its candidate, Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential poll.
According to him, the emergence of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankawaso as presidential candidates of Labour Party, (LP) and New Nigeria People’s Party, (NNPP) respectively, has depleted Atiku’s votes and narrowed his winning chances.
Adeyeye pointed out that “You could all remember that the PDP lost in 2015 presidential poll to President Muhammadu Buhari because five governors defected to the newly formed APC.
“And if you look at the strength by adding five governors to the then APC, the two parties were nearly of equal strength and that affected the ruling party.”
On chances of APC candidate, Adeyeye expressed optimism that Tinubu has a strong political networks across Nigeria to defeat Atiku, his closest rival and other opponents without going into a run- off as being predicted.
“Tinubu has the network and strong political structures to amass 25 percent of votes in two/third of the 36 states. There won’t be any need for any run- off, because the APC has a strong candidate that can deliver.”
He said the breaking away of strong politicians, who had emerged as presidential candidates in other parties would automatically affect Atiku’s chances in the forthcoming poll.
“So in the coming election, the same scenario is playing out. About four months ago, Atiku, Obi and Kwankwaso belonged to the same party.
“So, Obi and Kwankwaso, who are now in LP and NNPP will divide the votes that are supposed to be for Atiku in the coming election.
“But if you look at the APC, the party is intact and strong behind Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Though, some few people had defected and I think that affected all the major parties.
“If you look at the two main parties, you will realize that APC is the one that is more cohesive, stable and intact.”
The SWAGA leader said though he could not confirm whether Tinubu and Governor Wike are in alliance talk, but added that the River State Governor joining the APC candidate would further enhanced Tinubu’s victory.
“Governor Wike had always insisted that power must rotate between the North and the South for justice and equity.
“So, if he supports us, it means he wants to be part of the struggle to ensure political balancing between the North and the South and that will be good for APC.
“What the PDP did by giving the presidency to the North after eight years of presidency was a betrayal of trust and confidence.
“If not for Tinubu, the APC could have been in the same mess now. His participation in the primary prevented a Northern aspirant from emerging in APC because of his strength and network.”
 Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has observed that the party is toeing the same path which led to its destruction in 2015. Adeyeye, a former Minister of state for works, now a member of All Progressive Congress, (APC) and leading campaigner of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for President, noted that PDP is repeating same errors that sunk the party in the 2015 Presidential poll.){kind=link}