Leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti South Senatorial District of Ekiti State have declared support for the zoning proposal put forward by members of the State Working Committee of the party ahead of the forthcoming Congress.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, the leaders maintained that, in the spirit of fairness and justice, the SWC has deliberated on the need for the next chairman of the PDP to come from the South Senatorial District.
Signatories to the statement include former Deputy Governor Professor Kolapo Olusola-Eleka; former House of Representatives member Hon. Adesegun Adekola; former Attorney General of the state Kolapo Kolade, SAN; current Deputy State Chairman Hon. Lanre Omolase; Chief Femi Tijani, current PDP South Senatorial Chairman; Sunday Olowolafe, the current PDP State Legal Adviser; Folasade Akintade, the current PDP State Auditor; Dr. Dayo Awe, former PDP Local Government (LGA) party Chairman in Ikere; Chief Toba Ogunmusanmi, former LGA party Chairman in Ikere; and Chief Owoeye E.O (Goloba), former LGA party Chairman in Ikere.
Others are Hon. Dele Ajibola, Hon. Dare Adenigba, Hon. Ayo Boluwade, Hon. Jide Egunjobi, Hon. Sunday Asebiomo, Hon. Wole Akeredolu, Hon. Ojo Temitope Sunday, Afolalu Kehinde Titus, Hon. Thomas Ogunyemi, and Mr. B.Y. Olanipekun.
They called on those rejecting the proposal to consider the interest of the PDP in the state rather than their self-interest, expressing optimism that the State Executive Committee would soon meet and make a final decision on the zoning arrangements.
The statement reads, “It is well within the purview of the Party rules for the State Working Committee to propose, develop, and make decisions for the Party, with the provision that such decisions are subject to approval during the State Executive Committee meeting.
“The State Working Committee has proactively addressed the issue of allocating state positions within the Party, following the established tradition of rotational or swapping of positions in the State. This decision is subject to ratification by the State Executive Committee.
“The unrest and concern caused by the SWC’s decision seem to stem from ulterior motives and selfish interests of some individuals. It is important to recognize that the decision can be refined, adjusted, or modified by the State Executive Committee.
“Adhering to the Party’s tradition of rotating positions is not misguided, and the State Working Committee’s alignment with this tradition in their decision is commendable.
“It has come to our attention that certain individuals are deliberately causing confusion by suggesting that the State Chairman position, which should be traditionally held by the South Senatorial district, in the coming State Congress, should be denied in favor of another district for the Party’s 2026 governorship which would ordinarily be treated at the appropriate time.
“It is important to clarify that the Party chairman’s position should not influence the Party’s candidate selection process. If this matter is indeed under consideration, the State Executive Committee should officially confirm whether the State Chairman position, that should typically be held by the South Senatorial district, will be conceded to another district for the 2026 governorship candidacy. All members would be expected to adhere to the decision made by the Committee.
“The notion of leveraging the State Chairman position, typically held by the South, to hinder the South Senatorial district’s opportunity to produce the State Governor is deemed deceitful and based on false premises.
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“Nevertheless, we remain optimistic that sound judgment will prevail during the State Executive Committee meeting, leading to the peaceful resolution of these issues without unnecessary disruptions caused by self-serving interests.
“We must say that it is disappointing that a meeting of the South Senatorial district was convened without the participation of key stakeholders, including ourselves from the State representing the Senatorial district. We suspect that this exclusion was intentional and question the motives behind convening the meeting.
“It is important to acknowledge that certain individuals listed in the said Communique released by a group of South Senatorial leaders have refuted their presence at the meeting. In light of their denial and lack of awareness regarding the meeting’s proceedings, including their names in the context of a meeting they did not attend, participate in, or have knowledge of, apart from noticing it through public circulation, raises questions about the motivation behind such inclusion.
“It can be further stated with clarity that Chief Femi Tijani, the current Chairman of the South Senatorial district, and Hon. Ojo Temitope Sunday, the current Ise/Orun LGA Party Chairman, both undersigned in this response to the aforementioned South Senatorial district Communique, has distanced themselves from the Communique in question. Their names were included without our involvement or prior notification.
“We extend our appreciation to the State Working Committee and its Chairman for their dedication and proactive steps in revitalizing the Party. We commend them for their bravery and entrust their endeavors to God, with the hope that they will leave a lasting positive impact during their tenure, which is approaching its conclusion in the coming months.”
