Suspension of guber candidate, secretary unsettles Oyo SDP

Lagos PDP passes vote of confidence in George, chides Jandor

National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr. Olu Agunloye, yesterday, dismissed the suspension of the party’s governorship candidate for the 2023 election in Oyo State, Mr. Folorunso Lana, and state Secretary, Mr. Idowu Owokoya, as unwarranted, illegal and unauthorised.

Reacting on the suspension of Lana and Owokoya by Oyo SDP, in a statement, at the weekend, by the Chairman, Michael Okunlade, the national secretary noted that it was only the National Working Committee (NWC) that has the constitutional power to suspend anybody based on recommendation.

Oyo SDP chairman had, in a letter addressed to the NWC of the party, stated: “After reviewing the activities of Lana and the secretary, the whole house resolved that Lana be suspended from the party for anti-party activities, Owokoya be suspended for indiscipline, insubordination and dropping the name of the national secretary to destabilise the party.

“The party also resolved that Ajibola Adeniyi of Lagelu Local Council replaces Owokoya in acting capacity.”

Agunloye said the decision of Oyo SDP on Lana and Owokoya was not authorised by the NWC, and it is therefore null.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State has passed a vote of confidence in former Deputy National Chairman (South West) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, as the undisputed leader of the party in the state.

In a communiqué, yesterday, by chieftains of the party, including Dr Layi Ogunbambi, Olabode Oladeinde, Sen. Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Israel Ogunrinde and Dr. Amos Fawole stated that never again should the national leadership of the party interfere in the process of choosing party managers and candidates in Lagos.

They also warned the governorship candidate of the party, Olajide Adediran popularly known as Jandor, to desist from denigrating leaders and elders of the party.

They stated that his disposition was contrary to the provision of Section 58 (I)(H) of the constitution of the PDP, as amended in 2017.

“We recognise that as a new member of the party, Adediran may not be conversant with the culture, tradition and provisions of the party’s constitution; hence, we admonish him to conduct himself in conformity with the cultures and norms of the party, failure which would leave the party with no other choice than to invoke appropriate disciplinary measures against him.

“The PDP does not condone groupings within its fold, hence, groups such as ‘Lagos for Lagos’ should be disbanded forthwith in accordance with the provisions of Section 58 (I)(J) of the PDP constitution.”