A new twist has emerged in the conflict rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, has countered the claim by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on the matter.
In a press release issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke made it clear that he stands by the constitution of the PDP on the replacement of an elected.
He further stated that he is also totally in support of the stand of the PDP’s Governors’forum which is contrary to the position of Governor Makinde.
“I stand by the Constitution of our great party, which clearly outlines the succession procedure in case of the exit of an elected chairman,” Adeleke stated.
“I also stand by the resolution of the PDP Governors’ Forum, of which I am an integral part. Our party must adhere to its Constitution at this critical time and at all times. That is the way to build a responsible political party.”
This clarification comes on the heels of Makinde’s declaration of support for Acting Chairman Umar Ilya Damagun on Wednesday where he claimed that both he and Adeleke were fully behind Damagum and his leadership team.
Recently, there has been tension within the PDP regarding the national leadership of the party. Several party members, including governors, are pushing for Damagum’s removal as acting chairman.
The governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, who also chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, recently revealed the position of the party Governors after a meeting with the NWC on Tuesday night.
He said the leadership crisis in the party needs to be resolved, and the North Central region should be allowed to complete the term of former PDP chairman Iyorchia Ayu, who is from Benue State.
Ayu was removed in June 2023, and Damagum took over as acting chairman. Governor Mohammed noted that Damagum’s continuation is a “constitutional issue” that needed to be addressed.
