Jonathan didn't win election for lagos PDP

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Chief Moshood Salvador, has promised to unite the warring factions and make the party a formidable opposition. In this interview with Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN, he speaks about the proposed local government poll, reconciliation moves by the national leaders and other issues.

Observers say the money spent by former President Goodluck Jonathan enabled the Lagos PDP to win some seats in the Lagos State House of Assembly and National Assembly. What's your comment?

I am amazed when people insinuate that it was millions of naira and dollar that Jonathan brought to Lagos during the 2015 campaign that was responsible for the PDP impressive performance in the state. The question is if Jonathan had spent that much in Lagos why didn't he win the presidential election in Lagos? Similarly, President Buhari campaigned in Rivers and lost despite the financial support of Rotimi Amaechi who was the state governor then.

Our candidates for the House of Representatives and State House of Assembly won on merit. They were accepted by the electorate. Lagos PDP performance in the last general elections was not a fluke. We worked hard and convinced the electorate on the programmes of our party and the integrity of our candidates. Look another election is approaching we will prove to critics that our performance was not accidental. I didn't see the money they said Jonathan brought to Lagos. People are no longer interested in money and material wealth offered by politicians. It's no longer the determinant factor but the antecedent, personality and the integrity of the candidate.

Why is it that the division in Lagos PDP becomes pronounced at every election?

It is not only PDP that is divided; APC too is always divided at the election time. The reason is that the two parties are formidable. The aspirants believe both the PDP and the APC are strong enough for them to win election and actualise their dream. I promise that during my tenure as party chairman, there won't be division in the Lagos PDP before, during and after elections. Immediately after I was elected, I have invited the dissenting group and listened to their grievances which we are addressing. All of us in the party have agreed to work together for the progress of the party.

Some politicians don't know what they want and how to go about it. Without peace you can't actualise your mission. It is only when there is peace in the party that you can achieve your aims and objectives of being a party member. There must be peace within the political party to forge ahead.

Are you surprised that two candidates emerged for the party's national chairmanship conceded to Lagos State?

The position of the PDP national chairman was zoned to the south by the National Working Committee (NWC). It was zoned to the southwest by the party leaders in the south. When the Southwest leaders met the position was zoned to Lagos and Ogun State chapters. Initially, Otunba Gbenga Daniel from Ogun State had shown interest just like Chief BodeGeorge from Lagos State. At a stage Daniel said he was no longer interested in the race; he withdrew.

What happened thereafter? The interference of outsiders was responsible for having two aspirants from Lagos. I am happy that before the end of the convention in Port Harcourt, they realised their mistakes. We have put our house in order. I can assure you it will not happen again. If the opportunity comes up again we are going to present one candidate.

What is the true position on the reconciliation move by the two PDP warring groups?

The true position is that reconciliation is still in process. You don't expect reconciliation process to end in a day. It takes time to unite warring groups and to restore normalcy. The key issue is that the leaders should identify the fundamental problem and solve it once and for all. The inauguration of the reconciliation committee will be done by the two leaders: Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff and Senator Ahmed Markafi. Both sides have nominated their members; 12 from each side. Since both of them are from the same party, they will put their acts together.

In spite of the reconciliation moves, Ondo PDP is having two governorship candidates. How can it be resolved before November 26?

Let me make it clear that the Ondo chapter of the PDP presented only one candidate in person of Mr Eyitayo Jegede (SAN). But a Federal High Court has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace his name with that of Chief Jimoh Ibrahim. Jegede has appealed against the judgment. It is possible for the appellate court to decide the matter before November 26, the day of election or after election.

What is your assessment of Governor Akinwumi Ambode's administration?

I wish him best of luck. I say this because the people of Lagos irrespective of party leaning should pray for his success. Whether you are in PDP or APC we must pray for him to succeed, otherwise it is we people that will pay for his failure.

Are you worried that the date for local government election in Lagos State has not been fixed?

We are much concerned by the lukewarm attitude of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) towards the long overdue local council election. I doubt if the electoral body knows the importance of council poll in a democratic setting. It is the government that is very close to the people; it provides more than 70 percent service delivery to them. The people have the right to choose who represents them at the third tier level just like other tiers of government. We know what to do if the state electoral body continues dragging its feet on this issue. We will take the matter beyond the presidency, we will table it before the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations to let them know that things are not working as it supposed to be under democratic rule in Lagos State. Under my leadership of the PDP in Lagos State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) government can no longer continue to short change us simply because we are in opposition. There will be no hiding place for them anymore.

How prepared is Lagos PDP for the council poll?

We are well prepared for the local government election. If they decide to hold it tomorrow, we won't be taken unaware. It is the APC that is afraid of losing that is why they are dilly dallying. You know it is someone who is at the top that is always afraid of coming down. Our structure is sound. We are gearing towards the coming election. We are very sure of victory.

But we have not seen sign of preparedness from the PDP aspirants compared to APC aspirants whose posters have flooded the streets.

The reason for that is because LASIEC has not come up with the time table for the election. It will be a futile effort putting up posters and banners for the election you are not sure of when it will hold. What we need now is regular consultation between the aspirants and the electorate; this is the time for the aspirants to work underground and show case their programmes to the members of the community. I believe posters have their role to play but we haven't got to that stage.

How would your candidates emerge, through primary or consensus arrangement?

There has never been a time that the PDP didn't conduct primary for elective offices. It is part of our culture. For instance, we are having a bye-election in Ifako/Ijaiye Federal Constituency very soon, we are going to conduct a fresh primary through which our candidate will emerge. Ordinarily, we would have adopted the former candidate who lost the election in 2015 but we still prefer to hold a new primary for a better and acceptable candidate to emerge.

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