…Says Fayose still bona-fide party member

By Oluseye Ojo

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West has announced its plan to capitalizmse on the successful governance models of Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Ademola Adeleke of Osun State in their upcoming campaign for the Ondo State governorship election.

The National Vice Chairman (South West), Mr Kamorudeen Ajisafe, and th Zonal Secretary, Mr. Rahmon Owokoniran, made the disclosure during a media parley held on Thursday at the PDP Zonal Office in Ibadan.

They emphasised the achievements of the two governors in infrastructure, healthcare, workers’ and pensioners’ welfare, commerce, and human face governance.

Ajisafe likened Makinde’s governance style to the legendary Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was the late Premier of the defunct Western Region, while he praised Adeleke for his selfless service to humanity.

He expressed confidence in the party’s chances of winning the Ondo governorship election, citing the purported disarray within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the PDP’s strength throughout the sunshine state.

On the selection of a governorship candidate for the poll, Ajisafe mentioned the party’s preference for a consensus candidate but acknowledged that a primary would be held if consensus could not be reached.

He addes that four individuals have purchased forms to contest for the party’s ticket for the election.

Ajisafe also highlighted ongoing efforts to reconcile party members in Ondo, Ekiti, and Osun, with the next focus being Ogun State.

Addressing concerns about specific party members, Ajisafe confirmed that a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, remains a bonafide member of the PDP, saying he has not resigned his membership of the party, and the party has not also set up a committee that found him guilty of any offence.

On the Lagos PDP, he clarified that Olajide Adediran, the party’s 2023 governorship candidate in the state, has retracted his claim of being the party’s leader in the state.

The South West PDP Secretary, Owokoniran, also urged the Federal Government, led by the APC, to address the escalating cost of living, and rising prices of food items, apart from upholding the rule of law.

He also called upon Governors Makinde and Adeleke, who are the only two governors produced by PDP, among the six governors in the South West, to collaborate with their counterparts in tackling insecurity and promoting agricultural prosperity throughout the region.