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Police seal Ekiti PDP secretariat as Fayose, Olujimi loyalists clash

By Ayodele Afolabi (Ado-Ekiti) and Rotimi Agboluaje (Ibadan)
13 March 2020   |   4:16 am
Armed policemen yesterday took over the secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State as loyalists of former Governor Ayodele Fayose and Senator Abiodun Olujimi exchanged fisticuffs over conduct of ward congress.

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose (right); Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) National Vice Chairman, South-West, Dr. Eddie Olafeso and former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Olabode George, during the party’s South-West zonal stakeholders’ meeting in Ibadan… yesterday.

Party leaders reiterate determination to take over S’West
Armed policemen yesterday took over the secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State as loyalists of former Governor Ayodele Fayose and Senator Abiodun Olujimi exchanged fisticuffs over conduct of ward congress.

The crisis broke out around 4:00 p.m. at the party’s secretariat located at Ajilosun area of Ado-Ekiti capital city when supporters of the two combatants were waiting for arrival of members of an appeal panel sent to adjudicate on matters arising from the conduct of last Saturday’s congress.

It was learnt that dangerous weapons such as bottles, cutlasses and stones were used as members of panel sent by Chief Uche Secondus-led executive arrived, which prompted the police to immediately draft his men to the place. Several persons were said to have been wounded in the process.

When The Guardian visited the secretariat, over 30 policemen were at the entrance of the one-storey building, while every door was under lock and key.

Over eight police Hilux vans deployed from Okesa and Ologede Police stations were stationed at strategic locations while all members have been dispersed to avert loss of lives.

Responding to the attack, Olujimi blamed Fayose and his supporters for allegedly trying to define the PDP as a party of violence by mobilising thugs to where the appeal panel was expected to sit.

“Because we caught them in that dastardly act at Petim Hotel on Saturday, they thought they could right the wrongs with the appeal panel by being violent,” she said.

Fayose, who responded through his Media Aide, Lere Olayinka, said that the fact that Olujimi wants to appeal panel, showed her group lost the ward congress.

“After winning election, will you go and submit petition at tribunal? You don’t file petition against a congress you claimed to have won,” he said.

In another development, the South-West leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday reiterated the party’s determination to take over the remaining five states controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At an enlarged meeting of the party in Ibadan, the Oyo capital, facilitated by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, held at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, the party leaders stressed the need for unity to achieve the desired results.

The two-hour meeting had in attendance the former governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose; a former PDP South-West Vice Chairman, Chief Olabode George, Dr. Saka Balogun, Alhaja Bosede Adedibu and a host of other leaders.

George, who enjoined all members of the party to remain united to form a common front to dislodge the ruling APC in the remaining five South-West states, noted that if the party is united, it could achieve its target.

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