Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde has taken over preparations from the former Deputy Governor Hazeem Gbolarumi as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Abubakar Atiku meet Southwest party leaders in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
The Nation Newspaper reports that Gbolarumi, who has been an aggrieved leader of the party in the State, was in charge of preparations for the meeting because Makinde queued behind Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike.
The latter and his supporters have been in a running battle with Atiku in the last few months.
They want the national chairman Iyorchia Ayu to resign to pave way to a southerner because Atiku is a northerner
As soon as the meeting was confirmed a few days ago, however, the Governor changed his stand and insisted he must take over as coordinator for the meeting being the leader of the party in Southwest
But Gbolarumi stood his grounds, saying he was in charge. While Gbolarumi already arranged for a venue, Makinde chose another venue, adding to logistic controversy.
The crisis raged until Monday evening when other leaders waged in to prevail on Gbolarumi.
A source close to the crisis said the meeting lasted into early Tuesday morning before Gbolarumi conceded to the Governor.
The meeting will now hold at an event centre at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
The source explained that Makinde had to take over the role because he is also a candidate in the next election.
“Being the leader of PDP in Southwest, he has to support the presidential candidate of his party in holding such an important meeting. Remember that he is also a candidate in the election. So we are not surprised at the sudden turnaround,” the source said.
