The planned merger between the Oyo State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord has collapsed.
It was leant that the much awaited visit of the PDP National Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff, is most unlikely given the huge assignments on his hands as well as the mutual suspicion among the party leaders in the state.
It was gathered that while others were working towards rebuilding the party, one of the major leaders is bent on flying the party’s flag as the governorship candidate in 2019.
Sources said he has been shrugging off suggestions of allowing everyone come together first, including Accord members and others from the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Another party leader, it was gathered, is patronising Accord leader Rashidi Ladoja and promising juicy positions to Accord members when the deal is struck.
With the mutual suspicion among PDP leaders, Accord was said to have requested a conclusion of the merger talks by only the PDP national leadership.
Sheriff’s failure to visit Ibadan to conclude the merger plans has reportedly frustrated many PFP leaders, who were sincere about the merger.
They all believe in the PDP that getting Accord to merge with them in Oyo State would revive the fortunes of the party.
A source involved in the deal said: “Don’t let me deceive you. I don’t see it working. They (Oyo PDP leaders) have not been able to prevail on one of them to drop his ambition.”
