The former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, has won the National Vice Chairman (Southwest) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He defeated his opponent, Eddy Olafeso, the candidate of the former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose with close margin.
The election held in the Women and Children Development Initiative Foundation (WOCDIF) Centre, Iwo Road, Osogbo, Osun State capital.
Arapaja scores 343 votes while Olafeso scores 330 votes.
Newsflash Nigeria gathered that out of the expected number of 734 delegates across the six states, 684 delegates were accredited.
The votes were counted under the watchful eye of the Electoral Committee Chairman, Benson Abounu and Osita Chidoka, the Chairman of the Monitoring Committee.
From a total number of 748 registered delegates as made available by the Chairman of the South West Electoral Committee, Benson Abounu, 684 delegates were accredited and after 674 votes were cast, 10 votes were voided, leaving 674 valid votes.
In conceding defeat, Dr. Eddy Olafeso congratulated the winner and thanked all his supporters including former governor Ayodele Fayose for the love and support shown.
He acknowledged all the delegates for the peace and tranquillity experienced during the congress and assured that with Governor Seyi Makinde in Oyo, the South West will be controlled by the PDP.
Meanwhile, the winner Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja thanked all his supporters for the love and for casting their votes in his favour.
In his words, “I was moved by what the delegates did including former governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State.
“He assured that with the victory achieved he was going to work with his opponent in ensuring that the PDP is repositioned to dominate the South West and the national.”
Meanwhile, there was pandemonium at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Southwest zonal congress.
The incident occurred around 6:45pm when some suspected hoodlums advanced towards the gate of the WOCDIF Event Centre where the congress was taking place in an attempt to invade the premises.
Security operative repelled the invasion through the quick intervention of Osun Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode and other officers.
The security operatives shot sporadically to the air to scare away the hoodlums.
Security operatives whisked Fayose away in a black tinted jeep unhurt.
