SOUTHWEST PDP LEADERS REJECT AUTOCRATIC TENDENCIES, BID FOR EQUITY IN ZONAL CONGRESS
Notable leaders of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West led by a former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Ayodele Fayose have jointly rejected any act that does not respect democratic norms in the procedure to organise a hitch-free Congress, coming up in the Zone soon.
This decision was arrived at Abeokuta, Ogun State after a thorough deliberation of a Committee of South West PDP Chairmen, on Wednesday.
The meeting which had in attendance critical stakeholders of the opposition party also had four State Chairmen from Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos and Osun in attendance.
In a Press Statement jointly signed by Hon. Sikirulai Olawale Ogundele (Ogun), Chief Bisi Kolawole (Ekiti), Engr. Deji Doherty (Lagos) and Elder Sunday Akanfe (Osun) which was made available to Nigerian Platform, the party stalwarts stated that Dr Eddy Olafeso led Executives must be returned to office, in the forthcoming Zonal Congress, to give equity a chance.
The Chairmen who maintained that the leadership of the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde was not in question however said that each of the six States in the Zone must be allowed and appropriately carried along in the decision making process of the party in the Zone.
According to them “It must be noted that each state has its own leaders as politics is local and its leadership structure must be respected, but no state is ruled or governed by another”.
They emphasized that their parley was to stand against impunity and to place the PDP in a better position of victory in the forthcoming and future elections.
“We Chairmen of the PDP in States of the South West Zone, alive to our responsibilities to the party and its teeming supporters, wish to place on record our deep commitment to its well-being and success at all times”.
“We reject any style of leadership that does not respect democratic norms. Everybody must be carried along for the sake of equity and fairness”
The PDP leaders also solicited for a hitch-free Zonal Congress that is going to be free, fair, transparent, credible and acceptable.
“We seize this opportunity to let the National Working Committee know that it is nothing but free, fair, transparent and non-violent Congress is what is acceptable to us and we are ready to comply with all legitimate processes to determine the outcome of the Zonal Congress”.
“All we are saying is that we must give peace a chance and allow the South West take its rightful position in the PDP and Nigeria” the statement concluded.
Ogun State leader, Hon. Ladi Adebutu also said that the positions of Women Leader and Organising Secretary zoned to the state must not be tampered with as it remains non-negotiable.