Crisis is brewing within the Oyo federal constituency chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over who becomes the secretary to the state government in the yet-to-be formed administration of Engr. Seyi Makinde.
OYO INSIGHT recalled that Makinde had defeated Oloye Adebayo Adelabu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, during the March 9, 2019, governorship election.
Since his emergence, intense lobbying for appointments has begun.
Sources who spoke with OYO INSIGHT confirmed that “a group of leaders of PDP from Oyo Federal Constituency, paid a congratulatory visit to Governor-elect, Seyi Makinde.”
They were said to have been led by Chief S.A Elegbede who was said to have told Makinde to consider zoning the SSG position to the zone. There are 4 local government areas- AFIJIO, Atiba, Oyo East and Oyo West.
Elegbede, sources added, further went on to say that Chief Bisi Ilaka, who was the senatorial candidate of the party in Oyo Central senatorial district, be the chosen one.
Makinde, OYO INSIGHT learnt, was said to have expressed disappointment in the leaders for not carrying everyone along.
Makinde, sources added, was angry because of the absence of former speaker, Hon Kehinde Ayoola, Barrister Idowu Oyeleke and Chief Sunday Ogunlade, “men whom he had known in the struggle for so long.”
He said he was not happy that no PDP candidate was elected House of assembly member from Oyo Zone, a development which he linked to lack of unity among the leaders.
He then told them that he will call a unity meeting of leaders of the zone later.
“After the meeting which even the most ardent of them admitted failed to realize its objectives of extracting a commitment from the Governor-to-be to appoint Chief Bisi Ilaka as the SSG, a fight broke out among the group.
“Hon Moroof Atilola, a former speaker also, confronted Chief Elegbede that he went beyond his brief as a spokesperson.
“He said the group did not agree that a person’s name be put forward saying he too was interested in the position of SSG.
“This development has further polarized the leadership of PDP from Oyo zone and this has put the chances of the zone in the in-coming government in jeopardy,” the source noted.
Others at the meeting were Alhaji Fatai Obabi, Mr Ademola Santos, Mr Wale Ogunmola and Alhaji Ganiyu Ayo Alade.
