Addressing newsmen at the party secretariat in Osogbo, the caretaker chairman of the party, Dr. Akindele Adekunle, explained that the party had approached some agencies of government requesting to use the playground of Osogbo Government Technical College for its governorship mega rally but the application was rejected.
Adekunle also said the party applied for use of Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo but the application was also rejected.
He said, “Specifically, regarding the stadium, we spoke directly to a Commissioner and he told us that is an instruction from the above to stop us from using the facility. We went to the Government Technical College (Osogbo) and the person in charge told us that they sent a memo to them that the place should not be given out to anybody from Monday to Friday for usage.
“The Freedom Park, they were not categorical. They told us the place has been fixed but when we did our findings, we discovered their claim was fallacious. It was not true. At the Peace Accord signing yesterday, my candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke asked Governor Isiaka Oyetola why are we denied usage of the public infrastructure, he said he was not aware.
“He said he didn’t know anything about it. We want to say that all the bulks stop on the governor’s table. It is appalling that a governor is not aware that a rival party has sought to use a public facility for rally. To me, the governor is living in denial.”
But when contacted, Special Adviser to Osun governor on Political Affairs, Sunday Akere, said the PDP failed to secure the venues on time.
“It is unfortunate that the PDP due to lack of proper organisation decided to book the venues after other groups have done so. Other parties have used many public facilities, it does not determine who wins an election,” Akere said.
