Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West geo-political zone, met in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Friday, and resolved to ensure the party was built into a strong, indissoluble structure.
The Zonal chapter of the party, however, called for respect for party structures in convening meetings.
This position was contained in a statement issued by the zonal publicity Secretary, Ayo Fadaka.
The meeting, which was held at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, affirmed the resolve of stakeholders in the party to embrace the principles of equity and fairness in the distribution of positions due to the zone henceforth.
The Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi, who presided over the meeting, said that the leaders resolved to build “an indivisible, united and strong entity under PDP’s umbrella.”
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the meeting was attended by Governor Makinde and three former governors of the party.
They included the former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olugunsoye Oyinlola, former Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, his predecessor in office, Engineer Segun Oni, as well as a former Military Administrator of Ondo State and former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George, National Assembly members and other stakeholders.
The communique issued at the end of the meeting indicated that the party discussed various issues bordering on unity, oneness and togetherness in the South-West PDP, and how to reposition the party.
The communique reads in part: “The Leaders of the PDP South-West, from the six States of Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo and Osun met today, 19th June, 2020, discussed extensively on various issues bordering on the unity, oneness and togetherness of the South-West PDP and resolved as follows:
“That the PDP South-West should remain an indivisible, united and strong entity under the PDP’s umbrella.
“That positions zoned to the South-West should, henceforth, be fairly and equitably shared within the various States/Sub-zones of Lagos/Ogun; Ekiti/Ondo and Oyo/Osun to create a sense of belonging in the respective States/Sub-zones.
“That rotation of the various positions amongst the States/Sub-zones will create a higher sense of unity, togetherness, fairness and justice among the various States/Sub-zones.
“The above-mentioned resolutions of the meeting are intended to create a sense of belonging, fairness, justice and unity and will be fully implemented as we progress in our programmes in the future to come.”
Meanwhile,the party zonal Executive issued this statement on the meeting.
(1) We take due cognizance of a purported Zonal meeting of the South West Zone of our Party summoned entirely at the pleasure of the Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Oluseyi Makinde.
(2) We therefore wish to place on record that the meeting was summoned by Gov. Oluseyi Makinde without any recourse to the Zonal Caretaker Executive Committee, thus it remains an informal gathering of the friends of the Governor and not a Zonal meeting of the Party.
In view of the foregoing, its resolutions, if any is not binding on the Party in the South West Zone.
(3) We declare that the Zonal Executive is constitutionally empowered to drive the affairs of the Party in the South West, and this is a responsibility it cannot delegate. Therefore any Zonal meeting not convened by the Zonal Executive is a direct affront on the Party’s constitution and an unlawful repudiation of same. This action signals the beginning of anarchy within the Party in the Zone and it will be absolutely irresponsible of the Zonal Executive to just ignore it.
We are therefore left with no choice other than to report this development to the National Secretariat who will determine the appropriate response to issues of impunity like this.
(4) We must declare that the current Executive Committee of the South West Zone values very seriously the amity, understanding and cooperation that exist in the Zone and will continue to trenchantly ensure its sustainance.
(5) We also wish to implore all Party leaders to appreciate the recent growth and development in the Party’s fortune and resist any temptation to create any form of disaffection in the Party capable of reversing our gains.
