According to a recent report by The Sun, Chief Ola Apena, a former deputy state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, highlighted the principle that individuals who act against their party's interests forfeit their right to leadership positions within that same party. Apena stressed that publicly supporting other political parties without a formal merger or alliance constitutes a renunciation of membership and leadership roles within the original party.
Apena stated that candidates endorsed by the party in gubernatorial elections automatically assume leadership roles within their respective states. However, he acknowledged the existence of additional leadership tiers within the party structure. Apena criticized certain party members, including the state chairman, for engaging in activities detrimental to the PDP's interests, such as openly endorsing candidates from rival parties. He argued that individuals who campaign for other parties cannot legitimately claim to be PDP members.
He emphasized the principle that working against one's party precludes the individual from asserting leadership within that party. He maintained that openly supporting rival parties without a formal agreement between parties signifies a forfeiture of membership, leadership, or any other claim within the original party. Apena expressed agreement with Jandor's statement, affirming its validity in his view.
Apena explained that candidates endorsed by the PDP in gubernatorial elections hold automatic leadership positions within their respective states. However, he acknowledged the existence of additional levels of leadership within the party hierarchy. Apena criticized certain party leaders, including the state chairman, for their involvement in activities contrary to the PDP's interests, such as openly endorsing candidates from other parties.
He highlighted the importance of party loyalty and condemned actions that undermine the PDP's integrity. He stated that individuals who canvass for other parties cannot sincerely claim membership within the PDP, regardless of any interpretations given to the situation. Apena emphasized the need for party members to adhere to the principles of loyalty and integrity to maintain the PDP's cohesion and effectiveness as a political entity.
According to him, "That is how it should be because if you work against your party, you cannot come around and claim to be a leader of the same party. Working openly and canvassing for other parties without a proper merger or alliance between your party and that party in question means you have relinquished your membership, leadership or whatever claim you have in that party. So, Jandor’s statement is in order as far as I’m concerned. There are so many interpretations to what he said that day because I was there but the point is that the party’s candidates in the gubernatorial election are automatic leaders of the party in their respective state. Of course, that does not remove the fact that we have another leadership level. But when you look at the level of stealing in that gubernatorial election; point to me any leaders of note in PDP apart from a few that did not participate in shenanigans, including the state chairman.
Speaking further, he said, "He came out openly to say that members of the party and the public should go and vote for the Labour Party. We have leaders that Jandor is still answerable to as his leader but not those who engaged in anti-party activities. So, it doesn’t matter whatever interpretation you give to it, the point is that those who canvassed for Labour Party under any arrangement cannot in all honesty claim to be members of the party."