Ekiti 2018: PDP members accuse Fayose of persecution

AS preparations for the Ekiti State governorship election gathers momentum, some members of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have Governor Ayodele Fayose of persecuting them for not been in the same camp with him within the party.

The arrow-head of the PDP members and a former party secretary in Ijero Local Government Area, Olurotimi Akande, made the accusation in a statement made available to Nigerian Tribune, alleging that he and some other 50 party members were been sidelined by the PDP State Working Committee, contrary to an order of national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, and Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State.

Reacting, however, Governor Fayose dismissed the allegation as a mere falsehood and very insulting, adding that he was not ready to join issues with them.

Akande said 50 members of the party were suspended in the local government area for alleged anti-party activities, adding that the latest victimization was caused by their support for a PDP governorship aspirant, Chief Olusegun Adewale (aka Aeroland), against Fayose’s preferred candidate and deputy, Professor Kolapo Olusola.

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“Throughout that time, I was not called to any elders’ meeting in Ijero Local Government Area, as guaranteed by the party’s constitution. They were treating us as outcasts, despite that the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) and the Board of Trustees had directed that we should be treated well.

“Internal crisis in a political party ends when the party or court resolves such issue. Members always fall in line. It is like when a candidate of a party emerges, others will queue behind him, but the contrary was happening here in Ekiti PDP.

“I see no offence in anyone supporting a candidate of his or her choice. Chief Adewale is our leader and we are backing him for the governorship position. But we will work for whoever wins the primary, even if it is Professor Olusola. We will display that loyalty”, he said.

However, Governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, on Sunday, said his “accusers are only seeking attention and popularity by trying to connect their misfortunes” to himself.

“We are ready to join issues with them. It is, indeed, very insulting to say Fayose is victimizing them over what. The governor is the leader and father of all. Anybody or party member is free to aspire to any position with no hindrance.”

The state PDP chairman, Mr Oguntuase, in a statement issued by the party’s publicity secretary, Mr Jackson Adebayo, also denied the allegation as he said it was the responsibility of the party to conduct free and fair primary without supporting any candidate.

He further assured that nobody in the party, particularly Chief Adewale or any other governorship aspirant, would be victimized for pursuing his or her legitimate aspiration since such was guaranteed by the constitution.