S’West PDP dismisses report of two factional state chairmen in Ogun

Says only one chairman is recognised

The Southwest zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, described as misleading the story that two factional state chairmen emerged from separate state congresses held by LadiAdebutu’s group and Jimi Adebisi Lawal-led faction on Saturday in Ogun State.

National Vice Chairman, Southwest of PDP, Ajisafe Toyese and the Publicity Secretary of the party in the zone, Sanya Atofarati, in two separate interviews, said that the state congress, organised by the caretaker committee, which produced Abayomi Tella, was witnessed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and recognised by the PDP National Working Committee (NWC).

Toyese said that the PDP’s NWC had earlier endorsed the previous ward and council congresses held by the Adebutu’s group, saying they all went smoothly and the outcomes were not only impressive but also accepted by the NWC.

He disclosed that the NWC had earlier written to INEC, the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other critical stakeholders informing them about the council and state congresses, saying that no amount of negative efforts would displace them.

Atofarati, on his part, said though the party acknowledged the fact there were varied interests in Ogun PDP which the NWC is working out strategies to address “but to say that two factional chairmen emerged from the congress held in Ogun State last Saturday is not only wrong, but also misleading.

Their positions came on the heels of the reports that the party produced two factional state chairmen from separate state congresses held, at the weekend, at different locations in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Meanwhile, the spokesman to Adebutu, who is also the image-maker of the Ogun PDP caretaker committee, Afolabi Orekoya, has insisted that the congress, organised by the Adebutu group, did not only get the approval of the PDP NWC, but was also witnessed by INEC.

However, some critical stakeholders in Ogun PDP have been forced to defect from the party, alleging that Ajisafe is only playing to the tune of his paymaster, Adebutu.