…As Mimiko, others emerge as National delegates in Ondo

By Dayo Johnson & Rotimi Ojomoyela

Ado-Ekiti—A fresh crisis is brewing in Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the ward congress conducted last Saturday, as  some party chieftains are accusing Governor Ayo Fayose of violating the party’s guidelines and the constitution by allegedly imposing his stooges as “elected delegates.”

Fayose

This came as former governor of Ondo state, Dr.   Olusegun Mimiko and his Chief of staff, Chief Kola Ademujimi, emerged as the National delegates to the PDP National Convention.

The party chieftains in Ekiti State said the development has sparked tension among their rank and has provoked majority of party members who looked forward to a free, fair and credible congress to elect delegates expected to vote at the party’s convention.

In a petition addressed to Ekiti State PDP Ward Appeal Panel, a copy of which was made available to newsmen on Tuesday, the aggrieved party members urged panel members to disregard the list of national delegates that may emerge from the Local Government Congress held yesterday, 21st November.

The petition was signed by Board of Trustees member, Chief Clement Awoyelu; Senator representing Ekiti Central, Mrs. Fatimat Raji Rasaki and House of Representatives member representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2, Mr. Olamide Oni among others.

The petition reads: “We members of PDP in Ekiti State hereby wish to bring to the notice of the chairman and members of the above-named panel that there was no Ward Congress in Ekiti State on Saturday, 18th November, 2017 or anytime directed by the National headquarters of our great party.

“What actually happened in Ekiti State was the usual practices of Governor Ayo Fayose to single handedly compile the names of his stooges as delegates without following the stipulated guidelines of the party.

“What this means is that Governor Fayose’s choice rather than the people’s choice emerged as candidates. This singular action has disappointed and provoked majority of members of PDP in Ekiti State.

“We hereby appeal to your panel to void and disregard the list of delegates submitted by the governor and by intention disregard the list of national delegates that may emerge from the local government congress scheduled for Tuesday, 21st November, 2017.”

But the PDP Publicity Secretary in Ekiti State, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, described the petition of the aggrieved party chieftains as a ruse and a mischief of the highest order.

Adebayo, who spoke in a telephone chat maintained that valid ward congress was held saying: “the action of disgruntled elements against an organized house will not stand.”

He said: “The petition is a ruse and a mischief of the highest order; the dates for the congresses were held and everybody knows the venues and they were held according to the constitution of the party.”

Meanwhile, the former governor and others are representing the Ondo West and Idanre local government area of the state respectively.

The election which took place in Idanre, had all the three delegates each from the ten wards in the local government and the local government executive members of the Party electing Ademujimi as the local government representative at the Abuja National Convention.

Speaking after the election,   Ademujimi commended the delegates for their display of maturity and sense of duty during the election.

He promised to give quality representation to the people at the National Convention coming up in December saying there is no victor or vanquish in the election.