A prominent member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Lere Olayinka, has offered advice to the party’s presidential candidate in the last election, Atiku Abubakar, suggesting that he should take a break from active politics and allow younger Nigerians to assume leadership positions within the PDP.
Olayinka, who was the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Ekiti Central Federal Constituency two in the last National Assembly election, asserted that the opposition party should shoulder the blame for its loss in the presidential election.
In an interview discussing the Tribunal judgment that validated President Bola Tinubu’s election, Olayinka expressed his lack of surprise, stating, “it is a waste of time to go to court to challenge an election that the PDP should have won so easily.”
He questioned how the party could prove electoral malpractices in an election conducted in over 176,000 polling units when it would be mandatory to call witnesses in all polling units where irregularities were alleged. Olayinka emphasized the importance of preparing thoroughly and playing the game within the boundaries of the law to secure victory, rather than pursuing legal remedies after losing.
He criticized the opposition’s disunity, emphasizing that fragmented opposition parties, particularly the PDP, have rarely been successful against incumbent ruling parties. Olayinka pointed out that the PDP had a substantial chance to win the election but squandered the opportunity due to internal divisions.
Olayinka cited examples of the party’s internal struggles, including prioritizing a single National Chairman over several governors and influential party members, expelling National Assembly candidates, and dissolving State Party Excos, which ultimately contributed to their defeat.
He lamented the loss of key supporters and figures who had remained loyal to the party, such as Governors Nyesom Wike, Seyi Makinde, Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Olayinka criticized the opposition’s lack of unity, emphasizing that the division among opposition parties worked to the advantage of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election.
In conclusion, Olayinka recommended that instead of expending energy and resources pursuing electoral victories in court, the opposition should focus on rebuilding for the 2027 elections, with younger Nigerians taking on leadership roles within the party.