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.
“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.