- Rivalry puts Oyinlola’s chairmanship ambition, party unity in danger
By Madu Onuorah
The battle for the control of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West geo-political zone has pitched former Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Ayo Fayose, against the incumbent Governor of Oyo state Engineer Seyi Makinde.
The two men are flexing muscles over who controls the structures of the party at the six South West States and the zonal level.
Global Upfront Newspapers (GUN) gathered that the Makinde group has adopted a behind-the-scene agenda of pushing the former Governor of Osun State, Brigadier General Olagunsoye Oyinlola (rtd) to challenge Prince Uche Secondus for National Chairmanship position of PDP.
The group designed the return of General Oyinlola to the party early this year, principally, for the National Chairmanship position. But they did not handle it well and so, it is now causing disquiet even in his immediate State of Osun where the PDP gubernatorial candidate in the last election, Senator Ademola Adeleke, and his teeming supporters are feeling sidelined.
GUN learnt that Engineer Makinde, as the only elected PDP Governor in the South West, automatically assumes the leadership role in the zone, but he is being accused of highhandedness and over bearing attitude, a disposition that is being challenged by former Ekiti State Governor, Fayose.
GUN gathered that Fayose was able to rally round all those uncomfortable with Makinde’s alleged “impunity” around him and are now forming a formidable force to challenge the Governor’s alleged “excesses.”
At the last count, the Fayose group are in control of four of the six South West State structures in Osun, Ekiti, Lagos and Ogun, leaving Makinde with only Oyo, his State, and Ondo, which is preparing for governorship election next month.
GNU learnt that Makinde tried to fight back by bringing in former Ekiti State Governor, Segun Oni, to checkmate Fayose, but lost out even with the backing of Senator Mrs Abiodum Olujimi.
The Chairmen of the four States in control of Fayose group – Deji Doherty (Lagos), Sunday Olatunde Akanfe (Osun), Bisi Kolawole (Ekiti) and Sikirullahi Ogundele (Ogun), backed by some other leaders under Fayose, after the delegate meeting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital during the week, warned against undue interference in State affairs by Governor Makinde.
GUN learnt that Fayose threatened to take on Makinde squarely if he continues undue interference in the affairs of other States.
But the Makinde group are not relenting, accusing the Fayose group of sabotage by trying to seize the party structures in the South West for the final control of the APC strong man and former Governor of Lagos State. Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
Senator Olujimi was also able to mobilize some leaders like Hon Kehinde Odebunmi , Rt.Hon Tunji Odeyemi (former Acting Governor of Ekiti State), Dr Sikiru Lawal (former Deputy Governor of Ekiti), Hon Makanjuola (former PDP State Chairman), Hon Barr. Oguntuase (immediate past State chairman of PDP), Chief JD Doherty from Efon LGA), Hon Prince Aderogba Agbaje, Hon Akanni Afolabi Bolaji Alani Jeje, Hon (Mrs) Yemisi Doherty, Hon Afolayan Joseph (Efon PDP Chairman), to pledge their loyalty to Makinde
GUN gathered that despite that, the Fayose group appear more formidable by virtue of controlling most of the delegates where officers for the zone would be elected.
The much needed peace in the South West PDP will remain distance as whoever emerges from the zonal contest may be seen as a factional leader and this development puts the aspiration of Prince Oyinlola in serious trouble.