JUST IN: Ogun PDP factions reconcile

The two factions of the Ogun state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have resolved to put their differences behind and work together in the interest of the party.

The faction led by its former gubernatorial candidate, Ladi Adebutu and that of Semiu Sodipo, formed a delegation that met with the national leadership of the party in Abuja on Wednesday to apprise it of their decision to reunite.

The national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, who welcomed them, expressed delight that they had resolved to reconcile their differences, assuring them of the national leadership’s support.

He reminded them that it was only the National Working Committee (NWC) that could call congresses and forward names of candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as any other thing would be contrary to electoral laws.

Secondus affirmed that PDP was the political party with the best structure in the country and appealed to all Nigerians to support it in rescuing the country.

He said: “This shows clearly, that PDP has an internal conflict resolution mechanism to settle issues that have been lingering for a long time. By your statement and your submission today, it means that all rumblings in Ogun state have been put to rest and including the legal issues.”

The party boss said the PDP would continue to insist that other political party members join it to build the nation which, he said was in turmoil.

Speaking earlier, Adebutu recalled that the state chapter of the PDP had been embroiled in crisis for 12 years with two parallel executive committees, while its fortunes had continued to go downhill.

ALSO READ: Kano residents laud Ganduje for banning street begging

He said: “The chapter of the party at Ogun state had been embroiled in conflicts for 12 years. So, a chapter that had 100% of all the elective positions in the state has now moved to a party that only has just one out of the 40 elective positions.

“In these 12 years, we have had two parallel executives in the state that have not always worked together. This culminated in a situation where in the last election when the party produced me as the candidate of the party, the other faction has another candidate. At the end of the day, unfortunately, we lost the election woefully.

“Happily today, it is my pleasure by the grace of God to now present to you the state working committee of the other faction. Our own faction, we have been at peace and we have been recognized by the National working committee of the party. And to the glory of God today, I am happy to present to you the Secretary of the Ogun faction of the PDP, by name Honorable Semiu Sodipo.

“Of the state four working committee (members), one is still at loggerhead with us, because he was a candidate in the last election.

“But interestingly, out of the 13 that are left, 10 are presently very active with the PDP and have aligned with the decision of the PDP national headquarters. Three are still drifting in and out, some days they claim they are with us, another day they are with APC.

“But however, what this means is that out of 14, we have 10 led by the factional secretary, returning fully to the mainstream and in total alliance to the dictates of the party at the national level.

“The belief is that, by this, all issues of litigation will be put to rest. Our party shall become one strong force again and shall remain the singular strongest opposition in Ogun state. And I can assure you that in 2023, you can count on Ogun state in the kitty for our party.”

In his remark, Sodipo concurred that the crisis in Ogun state has really come to an end.

He added: “I was part of the problem, I have been acting secretary, I was acting secretary 2009 t0 2010. I was the one who conducted one of the congresses in the 2011 election.”

While recalling the genesis of the crisis, Sodipo added: “We have realized that controlling the structure, does not mean controlling the people. And it does not really translate to victory.

“We have conducted election three times, 2011, 2014 and 2019 and nothing has come out of it.

“I now looked at the whole thing, what can we do? Except we do what is necessary, without the national headquarters working with us, we will not make any progress.”