…Warn Atiku, Makinde against relying on politicians without demonstrable electoral value
Concerned youths of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State have challenged Senator Duro Faseyi, Hon. Deji Ogunsakin and other party leaders criticising the party’s 2026 governorship candidate, Dr Oluwole Olumayokun Oluyede, to first account for their own electoral performance.
The youths urged the politicians to publish their polling-unit, ward and local government results from the June 20 governorship election before questioning Oluyede’s commitment, loyalty or financial contribution to the party’s campaign.
In a statement on Tuesday signed by Prince Biodun Afolabi, the group said the ongoing controversy should not focus solely on how much Oluyede allegedly contributed to the campaign, but should also examine how resources reportedly released for mobilisation, party agents and canvassers were utilised.
The youths questioned what happened to funds allegedly provided for election-day mobilisation and challenged those who received such resources to explain how they were spent.
“If the money Oluyede gave them was not enough for their expectations, let them come out and explain what they expected, what they received and how they spent what they received.
“Let them also explain what happened to the money provided for party agents and canvassers on election day. What happened to those resources and why, despite the resources allegedly made available, did most of them fail to deliver their own polling units for the PDP?” the group asked.
According to the youths, the questions were being raised by PDP members and concerned stakeholders, rather than Oluyede himself.
They argued that those who chose to publicly question the former candidate’s financial contributions, loyalty and commitment should also be prepared to face scrutiny over their own performance during the election.
“Oluyede did not publicly accuse them. They chose to issue a statement and raise questions about money and loyalty. Having done so, they should be prepared to answer questions from PDP members about their own performance and stewardship,” they said.
The group challenged Faseyi, Ogunsakin and other signatories to make their polling-unit and ward results public, insisting that political relevance should be measured by what a politician can demonstrably deliver at the grassroots.
The youths said political titles, past positions and claims of influence should no longer be enough to establish relevance within the party.
“Political titles are not votes. Past positions are not votes. The polling unit remains the most honest measure of political influence.
“If you claim to be a leader and mobiliser, show us the votes you delivered. Tell PDP members what happened in your polling unit and ward,” they said.
However, the group singled out Hon. Segun Adekola for commendation, saying he should not be placed in the same category as politicians whose current electoral influence they questioned.
The youths described Adekola as a politician who still commands respect and identifiable grassroots influence among his people.
“We must be fair. Segun Adekola remains respected among his people and still has identifiable electoral value. We acknowledge that.
“Our concern is with those who continue to claim enormous political influence but cannot demonstrate it when votes are counted,” the group said.
Youths question Ogunsakin’s loyalty claims
The group also questioned Ogunsakin’s moral standing to lecture other party members on political loyalty, citing his past political associations.
The youths recalled Ogunsakin’s association with the political structure of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose and his emergence as running mate to the PDP governorship candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, in the 2018 election.
They also referred to subsequent political realignments within the Ekiti PDP, arguing that Ogunsakin’s political journey demonstrated that political positions and alliances can change.
The group stressed that it was not opposed to politicians changing their political positions, describing such decisions as part of democratic politics. However, it cautioned against what it described as selective application of the principle of loyalty.
“Ogunsakin should tell Ekiti PDP members about his own political journey before lecturing others about loyalty.
“Nobody is saying a politician cannot change position. That is democracy. But nobody should change political camps when it suits him and later present himself as the final authority on who is loyal and who is not.
“Before judging Oluyede, let him explain his own political antecedents and tell us what he delivered in the last election,” they said.
The youths similarly challenged Faseyi to demonstrate his current electoral strength instead of relying on previous political offices.
They argued that being a former senator or former member of the House of Representatives does not automatically translate into present-day grassroots support.
“Being a former senator or former member of the House of Representatives does not automatically translate into votes.
“Political relevance is demonstrated at the polling unit, ward and local government levels. Let Senator Faseyi show his polling-unit result and the votes he delivered.
“Let him explain what happened in his ward. Then PDP members can determine whether the political strength he claims still exists,” the group said.
‘Candidates are not political investment platforms’
The youths also alleged that some politicians have developed a pattern of presenting themselves as indispensable political actors ahead of elections, receiving resources from aspirants and candidates on the strength of promises to deliver votes.
According to the group, some of such politicians allegedly distance themselves from election outcomes when the expected results fail to materialise.
The youths described the alleged practice as a “political investment mentality” which, they said, should no longer be tolerated within the PDP.
“If you claim you can deliver 170,000 votes, show the votes. If you say you control a ward, let the election confirm it.
“If you receive money for mobilisation, account for it. Candidates are not political investment platforms.
“Those who receive resources on the promise of delivering votes must also be prepared to explain the results,” they said.
The group further urged PDP leaders to draw lessons from the 2023 presidential election, particularly from claims made by political actors about their ability to deliver electoral support.
It called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other national leaders to be cautious about relying on unverified claims of political influence when making decisions about party mobilisation and strategy.
The youths also advised Oyo State Governor and PDP leader, Seyi Makinde, to independently assess the electoral strength of politicians before relying on claims of grassroots influence.
They said political responsibilities and campaign resources should be entrusted to individuals based on verifiable structures, measurable performance and proven electoral capacity.
According to the group, the future of the PDP in Ekiti cannot be built around personalities who claim significant political influence but are unable to demonstrate corresponding electoral strength at the polling unit.
The youths urged the politicians criticising Oluyede to stop shifting attention from their own electoral performance to the former candidate’s financial contribution.
They said the party should instead concentrate on rebuilding its structures, reconnecting with voters and addressing the factors responsible for its poor performance in the election.
“Oluyede contested the election on the platform of the PDP and carried the party’s flag. If anyone has evidence of wrongdoing, let such evidence be presented.
“But nobody should use questions about money to hide questions about performance.
“Those who could not deliver their own polling units should first answer to their people before attempting to put Oluyede on trial.
“PDP members are watching. The people are watching. And the results are there for everyone to see,” the youths said.
The group called for calm among PDP members across the state, urging party stakeholders to pursue reconciliation, accountability and internal rebuilding rather than deepen divisions through public recriminations.
