PDP is not in coalition with any party, ‘Grand Alliance’ is a scam to deceive voters — Hon. Fatola

By Seyifunmi Odunuga 

House of Representatives aspirant for the Ibadan South-West/North-West Federal Constituency, Hon. Samson Fatola, has condemned the purported “Grand Alliance” between the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples’ Movement in Oyo State.

Fatola, popularly known as Tesoju E, described the rumored fusion as a “fraud” and a “scam” designed to mislead the electorate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in Ibadan on Wednesday shortly after a party screening exercise, the founder of the Tesoju E movement alleged that the alliance being projected by Governor Seyi Makinde’s camp was a deceitful maneuver.

He insisted that the PDP was a well-rooted party with a history spanning decades and had never entered into such a coalition.

Fatola said, “That fusion being projected by Governor Makinde and his crew is a fraud; it is a scam. It is a deceitful way to control gullible electorates into believing that PDP has entered into an agreement with the APM.

“PDP is not in coalition with any party. We have debunked that at both the national and state levels. It is a kangaroo gathering. He needs something to promote that party (APM), but PDP has no hand in such an arrangement.”

The aspirant further alleged that the party’s structure had been “fraternised” under the incumbent administration to the detriment of genuine members.

He, however, noted that the party’s soul was being reclaimed through the efforts of veteran leaders like Barr. Hazeem Gbolarumi.

“People like us had no chance under that system. I am grateful to those who led the struggle, the likes of Barr. Hazeem Gbolarumi, who spearheaded the whole effort to ensure the party remains for the people and not just a tool for a few,” he added.

Fatola, who entered politics in 2011, stated that his aspiration was built on being the “voice of the voiceless,” criticizing what he termed “festive representation.”

He said, “Our people are suffering; their voices are not heard in Abuja. Representation is more than giving out rams and chickens during festive seasons. I am bringing transparency and accountability through regular town hall meetings.”

Reacting to the Federal Government’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, Fatola dismissed the slogan as deceptive.

“I often laugh at it. Can you have hope in a hopeless situation? I call it a ‘hope-crate’—a tool used to deceive people. You cannot renew what has already been lost,” he stated.