Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has warned the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, against dabbling into local Politics of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in each of the South West States.
Fayose made this known on Wednesday during a meeting of the National delegates of the PDP in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The meeting, which had in attendance, chairmen of the party in Ekiti, Osun, Lagos and Ogun, was held at the Ogun PDP secretariat, which was recently taken over by loyalists of Ladi Adebutu from those of late Buruji Kashamu.
READ ALSO: Fuel Subsidy Only Beneficial To The Rich”- NNPC Boss
Speaking at the South West zonal meeting, Fayose warned Makinde from tampering with the leadership of the PDP in Ekiti and Other SouthWest States.
The Ekiti former Governor acknowledged that Makinde is presently the only PDP governor in the South West, saying, however, that he should give every State the freedom to be governed by its local leaders.
Fayose said he will be ready to fight anyone who plans to take over the structure of the Ekiti PDP from him.
He revealed that there has been a cold war of who become(s) the executive members of the zone since Makinde demanded that the zonal executive be dissolved for a caretaker committee, adding that since the caretaker committee came on board, Makinde “has not allowed them to function because he produced the chairman.”
While stressing that he would continue to respect the Oyo State Governor as a brother whom he loves, Fayose stated that being a sitting governor does not give Makinde the right to go to another man’s State.
In a communique signed after the meeting, the PDP in the South West resolved that no State chapter of the party should be ruled by another.
The chairmen resolved that “it must also be noted that the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde is not in question.
“It must be noted that each state has its own leaders as politics is local and its leadership structure must be respected, but, no state is ruled or governed by another.
“It has been established and a decision is taken that the existing zoning formula in the zone for the zonal executives of the party should not be tampered with.
Our position is that any other formulae for the zone in the South West will not be acceptable to us.
“We seize this opportunity to let the National Working Committee know that it is nothing but free, fair, transparent and no violent congress is what is acceptable to us and we are ready to comply with all legitimate processes to determine the outcome of the zonal congress.
They concluded that, “the Eddy Olafeso-led zonal executive only spent two years from November 2017 till date and should be allowed to complete the very credible job they’ve commenced in the South West.”
They emphasised that “the team must be allowed to complete its tenure.”
We reject any style of leadership that does not respect democratic norms. Everybody must be carried along for the same of equity and fairness.
“All we are saying is that we must give peace a chance and allow the South-West take its rightful position in the PDP and Nigeria.”
The leaders in the South-West later endorsed the candidature of Olafeso.
