PDP splits ahead of Ekiti council elections

The crisis rocking the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, festered as members and stakeholders were sharply divided over the December 7 Councils elections.

The unfolding events appeared to have split the rank and file of the opposition party.

While some stakeholders are calling for outright boycott of the election, others advocated for participation in the exercise.

The leadership of the party in Ado-Ekiti had said it will boycott polls over alleged plot by Governor Kayode Fayemi to rig the elections for his party.

The splinter group, in a statement in Ado Ekiti by Hon. Yinka Olomofe on behalf of Ado-Ekiti Council Stakeholders, directed its member to distance themselves from a predetermined excercise.

But the Forum for the PDP local government party chairmen dismissed the announcement with a wave of hand, affirming the party will participate in the council polls.

The Forum said the decision was hinged on the resolution reached by the party’s State Executive Committee during a joint meeting of the State Working Committee and the Local Government Party Chairmen held on September 25, 2019.

The Forum, in a statement on Sunday in Ado Ekiti by its Chairman and Secretary, Hon. Idowu Akinbode and Hon. Israel Ogudele respectively and 12 other members of the forum, declared the announcements of non-participation as null and void.

It said the decision to participate or not to partake in the conduct can only be determined by the State Working Committee in collaboration with the local government party Chairmen.

The Forum called on party members and all the party’s candidates to disregard the purported non-participation and continue their campaigns and all other due process as outlined by the electoral body.

It charged the EKSIEC to provide a level playing ground for all participating political parties, advising the electoral body to shun any illegal activities that could cast a pall on the credibility of the elections.

Meanwhile, the PDP State Chairman, Chief Gboyega Oguntuwase said “The position of the extended EXCO, the SWC with all party chairmen of all the local governments, we met and we discussed extensively on what the PDP should do concerning the local government election.

“We all resolved that in the overriding interest of the party, so that there will be activity in the party, so that Ekiti people will have option, so that the fundamental provision of the constitution that we all have right to vote and be voted for would not be blotted out by unnecessary emotions and sabotage that we should participate in the elections.

“Any chairman of any local government that is making any announcement to the contrary, no matter who is backing him, shall receive adequate query and punishment for leading a rebellion at the appropriate time. I, as the state chairman, confirm that we shall take part in the elections,” he said.

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