The meeting of the South-West Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was aborted on Thursday as former Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and his loyalists were absent.
Fayose’s media aide, Lere Olayinka told Nigerian Tribune that the former governor could not attend the meeting because his loyalists had also resolved to shun Thursday’s meeting. Other absentees at the meeting were Ladi Adebutu, Eddy Olafeso, Bisi Olopoeyan, Deji Doherty, Femi Babalola among others.
“The former governor is not coming there. His people said they are not coming and he cannot come there alone,” Olayinka told the medium.
The meeting was meant to serve as an avenue where warring factions on the sides of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and former Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State settle scores.
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State who was meant to serve as a mediator aborted the meeting ‘due to the absence of some persons for logistics reasons”.
He, however, said the stakeholders resolved to shelve the meeting and give those absent another opportunity to reconsider their stance.
Pointing to the strategic nature of having a peaceful and united South-West PDP, he said efforts continued to be geared to resolve the various interests and bring everybody on board.
Others present at the Oyo Government House were former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State; former governor Olusegun Oni of Ekiti State; Senator Biodun Olujimi representing Ekiti South and Honourable Rita Orji; candidate of the PDP in the 2020 Ondo governorship election, Mr Eyitayo Jegede.
In his brief remark, Makinde said his concern was to continue to pursue peace in the South-West PDP due to its important role in the fortunes of the party.
