PDP crisis: Call Fayose to order, PDP South-West tells Makarfi

Senator Ahmed Makarfi National leader of the PDP (left); and Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose (right)

Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) leadership in South-West under Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, on Tuesday in Lagos berated the Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, for what it described as his hostile, authoritarian and destabilizing activities and demanded that he be called to order by the national leadership of the party before he destroyed the fold.

Chief Ogundipe said this while reading a communique issued at an emergency meeting of “Authentic South West PDP Zonal Leadership and Stakeholders,” held at Best Western Hotels, Victoria Island, and attended by former national secretary of the party, Prof Wole Oladipo; Chief Pegba Otemolu, Senator Buruji Kashamu, Chief Kolapo Ogunjobi, Mr. Adekola Razak and Hon. Akeem Taiwo.

Others include the former deputy to Governor Fayose, Chief Abiodun Aluko; former governorship candidate of the party in Lagos State, Dr. Wahab Dosunmu; Chief Afolayan Afolabi, Otunba Femmy Careena, among others.

Ogundipe, while also noting with concern the attempt by some persons in the zone, who he said had continued to fan the embers of discord within the fold, said the PDP leadership under him had resolved to declare the Ekiti governor, Mr. Fayose a persona non-grata, adding that the zone also had dissociated itself from his activities.

“We unequivocally condemn the hostile, authoritarian and destabilizing activities of Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, and demand that he should be called to order before he sounds the death knell of the party in the South West.”

“The authentic zonal leadership and stakeholders hereby declares Fayose a persona non-grata and dissociate the zone from his activities,” he said.

The PDP boss enjoined that henceforth the national leadership of the party should desist from relating with the Ekiti governor as regards matters affecting the zone.

Ogundipe, while also saying that he had directed party leadership in the zone and Ekiti State to desist from having any dealing whatsoever with Fayose in any capacity until further notice, disclosed that the PDP under him had resolved that a special committee be set up at the zonal and national levels to continue to mobilize people into the party.

This was just as he assured that his leadership would “continue to reach out and appeal to all those who had left the party as a result of the high-handedness and intolerant activities of Fayose and his cohorts from the South-West zone.”

Speaking further, the party chieftain congratulated the Chairman, National Caretaker Committee of PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and other members of the committee on the resolution of the crisis that rocked the party, declaring that the Supreme Court verdict that brought about the resolution was not a victory for anyone but the PDP, the rule of Law and Democracy in general.

“We also commend the national leadership of our party under the able leadership of Senator Makarfi for the maturity and candour displayed so far in the handling of party matters since the July 12, 2017 judgment of the Supreme Court.”

“We note that the National chairman has said no member of the party would be victimized or punished for supporting anyone before the Apex Court delivered its final judgment,” Ogundipe said.

Fielding questions from newsmen, the PDP boss, who insisted that the party remained one and united in the zone, assured that his group would take part in the party’s national convention taking place this Saturday.

On Governor Fayose’s issue, Ogundipe explained that what his leadership was insisting on was that the Ekiti helmsman should be called to order by the Makarfi leadership and not to be expelled from the party.

“I am not advocating for that (expulsion). I am only saying he should be called to order so that the party can move forward,” he said.

Also speaking, Prof. Oladipo equally lauded Senator Makarfi’s style of leadership, saying the PDP chairman had been able to steer the ship of the party well since the Supreme Court gave its verdict.

The former PDP national secretary, who recalled that the party while in power made notable landmarks in telecommunications, fight against corruption, provision of infrastructure, reform of the Electoral System that gave the country a free and fair poll in 2015, assured that the party would stage a comeback to power 2019, citing recent victories in by-elections in Osun State.

“If we are talking of more members, should we be looking at how members should be expelled? That is lunacy.”

“I am assuring the national caretaker committee that the whole structures of South-West, including the Mobilization Committee that has been in existence before, we are going to mobilise all the voters in the South-West so that Senator Makarfi would record a resounding success in the assignment he has been given,” he assured.