The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West has insisted that the party’s leaders in Abuja should follow the party’s constitution, allow the state chapters of the party to be independent and stop forcing decisions on them. This was based on a unanimous agreement of members of the South West PDP.
This was one of the resolutions reached at the Banquet Hall of the Premier Hotel, Ibadan, Oyo State, during the visit of the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. Hundreds of PDP faithful from the South West gathered at the Premier Hotel to meet the party’s national chairman at a meeting described as ‘town hall’ meeting.
The meeting had two representatives from each state speaking on the way forward for the party. Former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Agagu, was the first to raise the issue when he advised the national chairman to constitute a team of reputable committee members to tour all states and meet with each party leaders’to proffer lasting solution to the lingering crisis in the party.
Agagu told the Bamanga Tukur-led executive that “members of the party are cowards and do not need any special solutions to the problem, if only our party will live on constitutionality… There is too much arbitrariness in our party, too many people claiming leadership positions. The earlier we found a lasting solution, the better for us.” After Agagu’s declaration, the state representatives spoke almost in the same direction that the former governor spoke. Also, former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, urged the party leadership to allow transparency in the party’s gubernatorial election in the state.
The PDP national chairman, in his speech, appealled to members to close rank and reconcile in all ramifications. He said “South West is a great region, in terms of economy, politics and intellects.”