From: Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure

The National Vice Chairman (South West) of the Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP), Dr. Eddy Olafeso, has denied claims of a purported adoption of any aspirant

for the post of the national chairman of the party by the leadership

of the party in the zone.

Olafeso, in a statement issued, on Monday, in Akure, the Ondo State

Capital, hinted that none of the aspirants vying for the position of

the national chairman has been barred by the party.

He also maintained that the purported endorsement of an aspirant being

speculated was aimed at causing internal crisis in the party ahead of

the December national convention.

The statement reads, “The South West Zonal Executive takes serious

cognizance of the purported endorsement of some aspirants to the

office of the National Chairman of our Party and wishes to state very

firmly that the executive dissociates itself from that action out

rightly.

“We equally wish to underscore the fact that we detest this act of

impunity and will not support any action that will infringe on the

fundamental rights of any Party man to aspire to the highest position

in the party.

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“In furtherance of this, we affirm that all those gentlemen from the

South West that wish to contest for the position of the National

Chairman of the party are at liberty to continue to pursue their

ambition without encumbrance or hindrance.

‘We also wish to respectfully declare that the said decision to shut

out people from contesting the election is a mere personal decision of

a few as many members of the Board of Trustees we have contacted on

this score have firmly disassociated themselves from this action and

even their absolute ignorance of any meeting called for that purpose.

“We however declare that we remain in constant touch with stakeholders

in the South West who possess the legitimate right to proffer guidance

and input required to position and promote the Party.

“The issue of adopting a common position in the party is a serious

action that must take due cognizance of every tendency within the

party. The PDP is a peoples party and not the personal estate of a

few, and this, the executive will not stand by idly and allow anyone,

no matter their privilege status to impose their views or desires on

the generality of the party.

‘To this end, we therefore conclude that no one has been barred from

pursuing their ambitions in any manner,” it said.