PDP Convention: Arapaja, Oyinlola, Oladipo battle for Deputy Chair; Party generates N63m on forms

Ahead of the October 31 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), three aspirants contest for the position of Deputy National Chairman (South).

The three aspirants are all from South-West region includes; the former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the incumbent South-West Zonal Vice Chairman, Taofeek Arapaja and the former PDP National Secretary, Wale Oladipo.

Newsflash Nigeria understands that Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde is sponsoring the former deputy governor, Arapaja while former PDP national secretary, Professor Oladipo is backing on the support of Senator Ademola Adeleke and a good number of PDP stakeholders from Osun State to coast home to victory.

Oyinlola on the other hand is heading to the convention on his own, having seen earlier support from Makinde swayed in the direction of Arapaja. Oyinlola and Oladipo both hail from Osun state while Arapaja is from Oyo.

It should be recalled that Oyinlola was earlier favoured to emerge as the National Chairman until the position was moved to the north. The Deputy Chairmanship position was meant to compensate him, but it remained unclear why Governor Makinde, no longer wants him.

Meanwhile, PDP generated a total sum of N63 million from the sale of nomination forms to aspirants vying for various offices.

The convention billed to hold at the Eagles Square, Abuja has 33 aspirants contesting for various leadership positions in the main opposition party.

It would be recalled that the party had earlier fixed N5 million for the national chairmanship forms while those vying for the deputy national chairman and national secretary were expected to pay the sum of N3 million each.

While the fee for other substantive offices was pegged at N2 million each, nomination forms into national deputy offices were slated for N750,000 each.

Amongst the 33 aspirants include:

(1) Iyorchia Ayu – National  Chairman (Benue), [consensus candidate];

(2) Ahmed Mohammed – National Treasurer (Gombe), [consensus candidate];

(3) Umaru Bature – National Organising Secretary (Sokoto), [consensus candidate];

(4) Daniel Woyengikuro – National Financial Secretary (Bayelsa) [consensus candidate];

(5) Kamaldeen Ajibade – National legal adviser (Kwara) [consensus candidate];

(6) Taofeek Arapaja – Deputy National Chairman (South) (Oyo);

(7) Olagunsoye Oyinlola – Deputy National Chairman (South) (Osun);

(8) Wale Oladipo – Deputy National Chairman (South) (Osun);

(9) Hajia Maryam Ina Ciroma – Deputy National Chairman (North) (Borno);

(10) Umar Damagum – Deputy National Chairman (North) (Yobe);

(11) Eddy Olafeso – National Publicity Secretary (Ondo);

(12) Debo Olagunagba – National Publicity Secretary (Ondo);

(13) Okechukwu Daniel – National  Auditor (Anambra);

(14) Ikechukwu Nwosu – National  Auditor (Anambra);

(15) Chibuogwu Benson-Oraelosi – National  Auditor (Anambra);

(16) Professor Stella Effa-Attoe – National Woman Leader (Cross River);

(17) Hon. Divine Arong – National Woman Leader (Cross River);

Check other positions here:

Meanwhile, chairman of the PDP screening committee and former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke has assured all aspirants into the various offices of fairness in the conduct of the exercise.

In a chat with the newsmen shortly before the commencement of the exercise, Adoke promised to make the most of the assignment in the overall interest of Nigerians.

He said: “As you are well aware, the screening committee is charged with the responsibility of screening aspirants for national officers of the party for the national convention of our party. This assignment is crucial to the success of our party, as it signals the beginning of the process of electing credible Nigerians to steer the affairs of our party.

“I dare say that Nigerians have been waiting for a moment like this where committed democrats with a proven record of service to the party and country will emerge and be elected to usher in a new lease of life in our party politics.

Nigerians have been yearning for the kind of political leadership and governance that our party has over time provided for the country. The screening process for the election of the national officers of our party marks the beginning of our collective efforts to once more, bestow credible and effective leadership for the country at all levels. We cannot afford to fail!

“We are conscious of the expectation of members of our party especially the aspirants to the various elective positions for a free, fair credible and transparent process.

“We, therefore, assure you that we shall not only be guided by these ideals in the discharge of our duty but also, be meticulous in the observance of our party guidelines, the constitution of our great party and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

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