Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has countered the claim by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde regarding the ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Adeleke clarified his stance through a press release issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.
“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 Damagum.
Makinde had on Wednesday claimed that both he and Adeleke were fully behind Damagum and his leadership team. He made the claim during the groundbreaking ceremony for the upgrading of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan.
He had said: “Tongues have been wagging about my absence at the campaign grand finale. Let me declare that Seyi Makinde is 100 percent with our candidate in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo. If Edo people want to know the difference between delicious and nutritious, they should vote for Asue Ighodalo to get what is nutritious.
“And I am glad that our acting national chairman and members of his National Working Committee (NWC) are here. I read yesterday that there is another meeting in Bauchi by some NWC members. Let me say clearly, I have been discussing with my brother on our way here. We are 100 percent in support of the Iliya Damagun-led NWC. Whatever decision you take, we will support you in repositioning our party.
There has been recent 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.