The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has accused the leader of opposition Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Bola Tinubu of “carrying his despotism too far” by allegedly seeking to bar some persons from contesting the Ekiti state governorship election in 2014.

The Nigerian ruling party in a statement by its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Tony Okeke, on Thursday, said it is extremely “wicked and undemocratic” for Mr. Tinubu to order a House of Representatives member from Ekiti state, Opeyemi Bamidele, to forget his governorship ambition adding that such smacks of tyranny and outright disdain for democracy.

The ACN leader had led a delegation of the party’s leadership to Ekiti State on Tuesday where incumbent governor, Kayode Fayemi, was reportedly endorsed as the party’s candidate for the 2014 governorship election, thereby putting paid the ambition of Mr. Bamidele to vie for the office of the governor.

The PDP however said “by ordering a House of Representatives member from Ekiti state, Hon Opeyemi Bamidele to forget his governorship ambition in the 2014 governorship election, Tinubu has once again displayed his despotic tendencies and utter disdain for democratic process.

“This is extremely wicked and indeed the height of tyranny and outright disparagement for the people and their right to choose their leaders as guaranteed by the 1999 constitution as amended”, the statement said.

The party also said that since Mr. Tinubu is not even from Ekiti State, he should not decide for the people, and urged the people of the state “to rise up to the occasion and defend their rights by rejecting the usual practice of allowing god-fathers to select their leaders for them.

“In openly endorsing Ekiti state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi for a second term and ordering Hon. Opeyemi to forget his ambition, Tinubu has clearly shown his resolve to truncate laid down electoral processes so as to retain the system through which the resources of the state are being diverted to private purses,” the party said.

Claiming that the ACN has shown that it is not ready to respect the rights of the people, the PDP urged all lovers of democracy to come over to the “national party where no individual sits in his room and decides who will be candidate for an election”.

oshyno: I don't anything wronge in what tinubu has said. That is a political statement which PDP is used to even. Tinubu is mainly saying d PDP guy doesn't stand a chance and thus shudnt bother contesting. I hate Tinubu with a passion though.

oshyno: I don't anything wronge in what tinubu has said. That is a political statement which PDP is used to even. Tinubu is mainly saying d PDP guy doesn't stand a chance and thus shudnt bother contesting. I hate Tinubu with a passion though.

awodman:

Is Opeyemi Bamidele a PDP member?

take dat: The new spokesperson of PDP just wants to appear busy, crying more than the bereaved and poke-nosing into the affairs of another party even when his own party is teetering on the brink of implosion because of one man's unbridled lust for power. Is Tony Anenih not canvassing for automatic ticket for President Jonathan and PDP governors? The people of Ekiti will decide!

awodman:
Sometimes your hypocrisy is naeusating..on one hand you condem Anenih's proposal which has not even gotten into effect and here you are applauding your Master for doing exactly same thing...For our democracy to move forward internal party democracy is very essential..let's call a spade a spade...

chidindufrank: I wonder what would have happened if Tinubu were to be a military man. This man loves to bully people more than Ghadaffi

take dat: How have I applauded "your master"? You're angry because I exposed the hypocrisy of PDP? I am not in support of internal autocracy in political parties, but PDP should first put its own house in order before poking its nose into another party's affair! You can always try to ignore my comments if nauseated, Nairaland is a market place of ideas and diverse opinions! Back Off!

awodman:

What do you mean by hypocrisy of PDP?...its on record that PDP is the only party that conducts primary for its aspirants...just remind of when ACN has conducted primaries?...is it in choosing Akeredolu,in choosing Ajimobi,in choosing Amosun or even in choosing Fashola??...as a Nigerian you should condem whatever is wrong...

take dat: Oh, slow memory? A certain Dickson was imposed, sham primaries, and what of INEC's report on PDP 2012 National Convention indicted the party? All Patriotic and fair-minded Nigerians(Not hypocritical PDP/APC officials) should publicly denounce the near-absence of internal democracy among political parties.

hopelink1: Tinubu go and sit down(ko lo senbe)

oshyno: I don't anything wronge in what tinubu has said. That is a political statement which PDP is used to even. Tinubu is mainly saying d PDP guy doesn't stand a chance and thus shudnt bother contesting. I hate Tinubu with a passion though.

Fiawest: Fayemi meant well for Ekiti,I'm frm Ekiti,I live in Diaspora but visit my State every 3months,he is Gov I'm proud to call my Governor....Fayemi pls come back again

LOUDmedia: Tinubu's recent excesses don't appeal to me. I think he's taking it too far