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

House of Representatives aspirant for the Ibadan South-West/North-West Federal Constituency, Hon. Samson Fatola, has launched a blistering attack on the political maneuvers of Governor Seyi Makinde, describing the rumored “Grand Alliance” between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) as a “fraud” and a “scam.”

Fatola, popularly known by his political brand name Tesoju E, made these assertions on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ briefing following a party screening exercise in Ibadan. His remarks underscore a deepening crisis of confidence within the Oyo State PDP as key stakeholders begin to openly challenge the Governor’s leadership and his reported political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Addressing the widely circulated reports of a PDP-APM fusion, Fatola insisted that the PDP is a well-rooted party that has never entered into such a coalition in its history. He characterized the arrangement as a “Kangaroo gathering” and a desperate attempt to manipulate gullible voters.

“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,” Fatola declared. “PDP is not in coalition with any party. We have debunked that at both the national and state levels.”

He further suggested that the Governor is attempting to promote the APM because he “needs something to promote that party” after allegedly “fraternising” the PDP structure to the point where genuine members were sidelined.

Fatola alleged that under the incumbent administration, the party’s traditional identity had been compromised and almost completely hollowed out. He credited the recent “miracle” of reclaiming the party’s structure to the resilience of veteran leaders like Barr. Hazeem Gbolarumi, who he said spearheaded the struggle to return the PDP to its grassroots members.

“People like us had no chance under that system,” Fatola noted. “I am grateful to those who fought the battle, the people 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.”

The aspirant, who first entered the political foray in 2011, stated that his Tesoju E movement was established to give a voice to commoners whose pains are currently “not being felt by those in power.” He criticized the current culture of “festive representation,” where politicians only engage with the masses by distributing rams and chickens during holidays.

“I will be the voice of the voiceless. Our people are suffering; their voices are not heard in Abuja. Representation is more than festive gifts. I am bringing transparency and accountability. We will have regular town hall meetings so the people know exactly what is being discussed on their behalf,” Fatola promised.

Taking a swipe at the national “Renewed Hope” agenda, Fatola dismissed the slogan as deceptive, questioning how hope could be renewed in what he described as a “hopeless situation.” He labeled the strategy a “hope-crate” used to keep the populace in a cycle of political deceit.

“What is the hope that you are renewing? People have lost hope, and you say you are renewing it? It is a pathetic situation,” he stated.

As the 2027 election cycle draws closer, Fatola’s open defiance signals a major internal insurgency against the “Makinde camp,” as veteran party members realign to preserve the traditional identity of the Oyo PDP against what they term “executive deceit.”