Following the controversies trailing the recently inaugurated state executive of the Oyo state chapter of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, a faction loyal to one of its governorship aspirant Seyi Makinde at the weekend have given their nod to the recently harmonised state executives as sworn-in by the National headquarters of the party, with a vow to work with all interested groups in the state to win the state back for the party.
After a meeting attended by the party chieftains and stakeholders loyal to Makinde, a former Senate deputy chief whip, Senator Hosea Ayoola Agboola gave the hint to journalists while fielding questions on the outcome of the meeting which held in Ibadan.
Crisis began when a parallel congress held in December with both factions of the PDP claiming legitimacy, but a political solution was proposed by the Markafi led National Executive Committee but the formation of a new National Working Committee of the party adopting a different solution to resolve the crisis.
But a faction loyal to former governor Rasidi Ladoja is threatening to pull out of the party if the Congress held by his group is not duly recognise by the NWC as the authentic leader of the party at the state level instead of the arrangement that led to the swearing in of the Kunmi Mustapha led state excos.
Those present at the meeting include, Senator Agboola, Alhaji Azeem Gbolarumi, Honourable Taiwo Alade who represented the former Leader, House of Representatives, Honourable Mulikat Adeola; former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt Honourable Moruf Atilola, Chief Jacob Adetoro, PDP Secretary in the state, Wasiu Adeleke, Chief Ogunlade, Chief Ademola Adejumo, Chief D.A. Lawal, Mrs Nike Arewa, Honourable Abiola Ayorinde, Honourable Yemi Taiwo, Honourable Hassan Ogundoke, Alhaji Fatai Obabi and other members of the recently sworn-in executive in the state.
Speaking after the meeting, Agboola said the decision was taken after a very robust deliberations on the current situation, especially the newly inaugurated state executives of the party in the state.
He said: “After the December congresses, Senator Makarfi led national executives had made recommendation of a political solution of 14-12, to harmonise the two executive from the two congresses which our group believes will materialise.
“But with the latest decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) that we should take one executive member per senatorial district. That is; organising secretary (Oyo North district), Financial secretary, Oyo central and secretary, Oyo south, which is contrary to 12 slots we were looking forward to.
“All members of our group agreed with this decision of the NWC, and gave them kudos in the way and manner the whole issue was resolved which will enable the two congresses at Watershed and Oke-Ado form the state executive. So, we have promised that, with the harmonisation of the state executive, PDP will take over the reign of power in Oyo state come 2019.
“On this, everybody has pledged to work for the party to make PDP clear all seats in the state House of Assembly; Federal Representatives, all three senatorial seats and the governorship election come 2019 election.”
Senator Agboola also hinted that another peace committee is working for the party to make sure that all interested groups in the state come together to deliver the state for PDP come 2019. The peace committee, it was gathered vowed to continue their meeting until all matter in the state is completely resolved.
Meanwhile, earlier last week, it was gathered that the elders of the party met at the Ikolaba house of the former federal Minister, Elder Wole Oyelese.
Those that attended the meeting at Oyelese’s residence according to sources include; former Minister of Special Duties, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Chief Saka Balogun, Senator Ayo Adeseun, Senator Hosea Agboola, Honourable Muraina Ajibola, Chief Jacob Oyetoro, Alhaji Azeem Gbolarumi, Alhaja Bose Adedibu, Engineer Seyi Makinde and other stakeholders in the party.
The elders and stakeholders discussed the lingering issues affecting the party in the state, where it resolved to work for the success of the party in the 2019 elections in unity.
