Stakeholders sue for peace over sack of Ekiti PDP caretaker committee

Stakeholders in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti have called on parties to sheathe their swords in the interest of the party following the sacking of the caretaker committee by the court.

The State High Court had last week sacked the Sadiq Obanoyen-led caretaker management committee put in place by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in June to run the affairs of the PDP in the state.

Justice Olusegun Ogunyemi while delivering the judgment faulted the dissolution of the elected executives committee and ordered the return to office of the dissolved Alaba Agboola-led state executives loyal to the former governor, Ayodele Fayose.

Speaking with Nigerian Tribune, a former deputy governor of the state, Professor Kolapo Olusola Eleka who lamented the internal wrangling within the party culminating in the court ruling, expressed optimism that all issues will soon be resolved.

He said, “ The point is, every party has its own challenges and when you look at the court judgment, you can’t really say that is the end of the matter. The whole thing depends on the National Headquarters and let’s wait to hear from them.

“ PDP is existing and still vibrant. The fact that there are internal challenges does not mean the party is dead, even at the national level. There are meetings going on for things to move on well, and very soon you will see us back again. This is a silence period for PDP and silence period is a time to regain strength for the task ahead.”

On his part, a former acting governor, Tunji Odeyemi said the court verdict is subject to appeal, but called on party members to remain calm and be steadfast with the PDP in the period of repositioning.

“ There is PDP in Ekiti and that judgement nullifying the caretaker committee is subject to appeal by the time the other party in the suit looks at the variables.

“One thing I want to tell you is that a tree does not make a forest, a drop of water is not equal to an ocean. Anybody can say whatever they know, but one thing I can say is that there is a PDP in Ekiti state.

“No doubt, there is a setback and it is not too big to be surmounted. The setback is a fact that we are in opposition at the federal and state level, even at the local government area, there is no way it won’t have a negative impact.

“ I can assure you that leaders are talking and I can assure you that PDP will be back soon in a greater form for success in future,” he said.

Reacting to the judgment, Agboola said, “The next step is to make sure that we bring the PDP back to winning ways, bring everybody together and follow the rules of law and the constitution of the party in our decisions. That is the only way the PDP, as a body, can move forward.

“We are a democratically elected exco; we were dissolved without reason. We felt that our only saviour was the court of law.

“Whatever happens, we are committed to the progress of the party; we are loyal to the national body and we are ready to operate with it in any way or form to move the party forward. We are always ready, we are only upholding the rule of law and the constitution of the party.”

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