Endless crisis, verbal warfare in South-West PDP

Despite eff orts to reconcile aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the country after its Supreme Court victory, leaders of the South-west zone of the party have remained in political trenches as Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state, Dr. Eddy Oyefeso, Senator Buruji Kasamu and Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe trade words. AGBOOLA BAYO reports

Just coming out of a protracted leadership crisis and striving to reposition itself as a force to be reckoned with politically, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is facing a huge task of reconciling its members who have been operating parallel factions creating fresh crisis in the party. In the South west zone of the party to say all is not well in its fold at the moment is an understatement going by the escalation of the prolonged factional crisis rocking the party in the zone.

Despite the Supreme Court judgment that fi nally resolved the leadership crisis that tore the party apart at the national level, that of the South west is unabated as clearly shown at the Monday (August, 7) in Ibadan, Oyo state, political headquarters for the zone under the leadership of Governor Ayodele Fayose and the Zonal Chairman for the zone Dr Eddy Olafeso and the Zonal Secretary, Deacon Bunmi Jenyo, together with 20 delegates each from the six states in the zone. Communique At the meeting, a communique was issued and read by the Zonal Chairman, Dr Eddy Olafeso, in which the Zonal executives and leadership of PDP demanded disciplinary actions against the Senator representing Ogun East senatorial district, Senator Buruji Kashamu for his alleged roles in PDP’s loss in the Ogun, Ondo and Edo states governorship elections.

Th e closed door leadership meeting held at the civic centre, Ibadan was attended by Governor Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ogun state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, governorship candidate in the last governorship election in Ondo state, Eyitayo Jegede, former Deputy National Chairman of the party, (South), Chief Olabode George, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Senator Ayoade Adeseun, former Deputy chief whip, Senator Hosea Ayoola Agboola, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, Honourable Muraina Ajibola, Honourable Mulikat Adeola, Honourable Ladi Adebutu and Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, Barrister Sharafadeen Alli, Dr Saka Balogun, Honourable Babatunde Oduyoye, former Minister of Police Aff airs, Jelili Adesiyan, Elder Wole Oyelese, Barrister Lowo Obisesan, Demola Ojo, Alhaja Bose Adedibu, Joju Fadairo, Femi Babalola, Honourable Asimiyu Alarape, among others. Strategy Th e leaders maintained that the party must not blow its second chance and must be ready to chart a way forward for the party and that discipline must be the bedrock of the party.

“Th e Zonal Leadership also hereby denounced and regreted the action and ignoble role of some of its membership that led to the unfortunate experience and trauma that held the entire party down for over a year now and pray that may such never recur again in our great party. Th e entire Southwest leadership and stakeholders condemned the destabilizing and antiparty activities of Senator Buruji Kashamu and demand disciplinary actions against him for his roles in the loss of the party in Ogun, Ondo and Edo states. Kashamu/ Alleged Anti-party activities

Th e party added that “ the zonal leadership and stakeholders hereby dissociate the zone from the activities of Senator Buruji Kashamu and resolve further to henceforth desist from dealing with him in any capacity in the zone, and the leadership of the party in Ogun state are hereby directed to stop all dealings and meetings involvement with Senator Buruji Kashamu and his agents until further notice” “Th e Zonal Leadership and stakeholders also hereby reject any association whatsoever with Senator Buruji Kashamu henceforth.

It is hereby resolved that a special committee be set up at the zonal and national level to reach out and appeal to all those who had left the party as a result of the disruptive and destructive activities and act of sabotage visited upon the party.” Governor Ayodele Fayose while welcoming other PDP leaders in zone declared that the party “is ready to sanction any erring member who violates the constitution of the party by playing antiparty role and that “nobody is bigger than the party and that the party is ready to move on without anybody holding it to ransom.” Governor Fayose declared that “PDP crisis started from the southwest, in fact from Ogun state. It started when they didn’t allow Otunba Gbenga Daniel to succeed himself we thought it was a joke, gradually, the monster started moving from one state to another.

Th is is the last one he will do in Ondo state. We have to confront him headlong”. “Our meeting today resolved that we don’t want him again in our party. And we are not ready to relate with him again. We have directed all members in the state not to have anything to do with him again. I want to say that it is time for our party to take the decision. If you have problem and you refuse to nip it in the board, the problem will consume you.

How can one person be destroying the peace of this party? And we were all looking at him. Th at was not a way forward. If you have infection, you better go and see doctor so that they we can get rid of this monster”. Governor Fayose added “God had saved us in the fi rst time and he has also saved us this time around, it is now left to us to safe ourselves. I have told those at the authority that this monster emanated from the southwest and we must get rid of it. “ Fayose’s Salvo “We have told the National Secretariat that they either take him or they take us. When you travel with charlatans, they will embarrass us.

We know our people who are leaders. Th is meeting was supposed to hold in my house but I said we should take it to a public place. How can we take this kind of a meeting to Ijebu Igbo? Th is party is a public party and it shouldn’t be pocketed by anybody. Enough is enough. Let him call a meeting and bring personalities like this. How can a blind man be leading us. I want to appeal to all of us that we should take charge of our states. We are in PDP and our friend is praising Buhari condemning Fayose. How can you be a party man and still be a black leg in our party?

I am sure as we make progress, this meeting we will make far reaching decision on the way forward. I cannot be with a woman who is sleeping with another man in my bed room. Buruji is a black leg in our party. If you are with Buruji, you cannot be with us.” Kasamu’s Reaction Senator Kasamu in a statement made available to newsmen on the threat to sanction him described Governor Fayose, the Zonal Chairman at the meeting, Dr Eddy Olafeso and others at the meeting as “political harlots and impostors” vowing that he “ is not afraid of expulsion “threat by Governor Fayose and the Dr Olafeso- led SW PDP leaders in the Ibadan meeting.

Senator Kasamu lacked “the wherewithal to pull through his wishes,” saying, “ let me quickly state that I am not afraid of any expulsion. I am a man whom the Almighty Allah has blessed and who has made a name before I joined politics. And I

 

Leave a Reply