Former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Dr. Sikiru Tae Lawal, has joined the ever-increasing list of prominent politicians dumping the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Newsflash247 learned on Wednesday that Lawal’s exit was triggered by the decision of Governor Ayo Fayose to impose his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola as “the sole candidate” for the July 14 governorship poll.
Lawal said the decision to quit the PDP was hinged on “the available fact that the list of delegates to vote at the primary has been doctored in favour of Olusola.”
However, the ex-deputy governor did not reveal the political party he would join with his supporters ahead of the governorship poll.
He has also resigned as non-Executive Director representing Ekiti State on the board of Odu’a Investment Limited, a business conglomerate owned by the six Southwest states.
Lawal served as Deputy Governor between May 29, 2007 and October 15, 2010 under former Governor Segun Oni.
The Ado-Ekiti born politician is the third deputy governor to leave PDP in the last one year over alleged autocracy, subversion of party constitution and imposition of candidates by Fayose.
Former deputy governors who had left PDP are Chief Abiodun Aluko and Chief Adebisi Omoyeni, who had joined Mega Party of Nigeria and Social Democratic Party (SDP) to pursue their governorship ambition.
In a letter dated April 3, 2018 and addressed to the PDP Chairman in Ward 9, Ado Ekiti, Mr. Tope Makanjuola , Lawal said his resignation took effect from the date he communicated same to the party.
The letter entitled: ‘Withdrawal of Membership’ reads: “Reference to above, I wish to inform you that I, Sikiru Tae Lawal with membership number 2620001 registered at Ward 9, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State wish to withdraw my membership of your party, PDP effective from today, Tuesday, 3rd April 2018.”
In the letter to the Group Managing Director of Odu’a Investment Limited, a copy of which was sent to Governor Fayose, Lawal said: “I wish to notify you of my intention to resign my appointment as a non-executive Director representing Ekiti State on the board of Odu’a investment Company Limited with effect from 1st May, 2018.
“I wish to thank the Ekiti State governor and the good people of Ekiti State for the opportunity given me to serve on the board. I also appreciate the cooperation of my colleagues and staff of Odu’a during my stay”, he stated.
Lawal said he decided to take such a far reaching decision to afford him the opportunity to be able to defend his political interest and that of his people in another party.
He added: “Whatever you do in politics, you do it for yourself and your people. It seems PDP no longer needs us, because the processes leading to our primary have been badly manipulated in favour of an aspirant.
“The message was clear that there is no level playing ground again in our party and there is no point wasting time in a party that has lost its bearing, because the PDP is no longer the people’s choice, it has lost its goodwill due to pervasive impunity in the system.
“The PDP supposed to be a democratic party, but this is not the case. I am not over ambitious but I have no choice than to leave when someone has said your services are no longer needed.”
When asked the party he would adopt to contest for the election, Lawal said: “I am consulting with my people. I consulted them before taking this action and I believe we must come together to agree on the platform to be adopted.”
