Members of the South West chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday met in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital to discuss ways of re-conciliating disgruntled party faithful.
This is just as the party resolved to raise a disciplinary committee to sanction the senator representing Ogun East, Buruji Kashamu over what it referred to as anti-party activities.
The leaders congratulated Senator Ahmed Makarfi for what it called landmark victory, condemning the actions of some members of the party, including Kashamu.
According to the leaders, in a communique read at the end of the meeting, disclosed that the anti-party activities of some of the members made the party lost elections in Ondo, Ogun and Edo states, hence the need to sanction them.
Zonal Chairman of the party, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, flanked by Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state, Chief Bode George and Otunba Iyiola Omisore read the communique, urging the Ogun State chapter of the party to do away with anything that has to do with Kashamu.
The communique reads:
“First and most the south West Zonal Leadership congratulate the National Caretaker Committee of the table under the able leadership, His Excellency, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and other distinguished members of the National Caretaker Committee of our great party over the landmark victory recorded at the Supreme Court on the 12th of July , 2017
“The Zonal Leadership also hereby condemn and regret the action and ignoble role of some of its membership that led to the unfortunate experience and trauma that held the entire party down for over a year now and pray that may such never recur again in our great party
“The entire Southwest leadership and stakeholders condemn the destabilizing and anti-party activities of Senator Buruji Kashamu and demand disciplinary actions against him for his roles in the loss of the party in Ogun, Ondo and Edo states.
“The zonal leadership and stakeholders hereby dissociate the zone from the activities of Senator Buruji Kashamu and resolve further to henceforth desist from dealing with him in any capacity in the zone, and the leadership of the party in Ogun state are hereby directed to stop all dealings and meetings involvement with Senator Buruji Kashamu and his agents until further notice
“The Zonal Leadership and stakeholders also hereby reject any association whatsoever with Senator Buruji Kashamu henceforth
“It is hereby resolved that a special committee be set up at the zonal and national level to reach out and appeal to all those who had left the party as a result of the disruptive and destructive activities and act of sabotage visited upon the party.”
Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Governor of Ekiti state while speaking earlier said the Supreme Court did justice to Nigeria and not PDP.
Fayose who said that the party which was now in opposition was optimistic to retain the power in 2019.
“Today we are in opposition, tomorrow we will be in power. This party must be protected.
“We need a President that is hale and hearty. Looking inwards it is time to reposition PDP, it is time to take decisions, if you have problem and you did not nip it in the body the problem will continue.
“God saved us first time, second time, we must save ourselves.
“The whole problem of PDP in South-West started from Ogun state. ”
Those at the meeting include former Governor of Ogun state Gbenga Daniel; Senator Ayo Adeseun; former Chairman Odu’a Investment Company Limited Barrister Sarafadeen Alli, former Chief of Staff in Oyo State Dr. Saka Balogun; Hon. Babatunde Oduyoye, Hon. Jelili Adesiyan, Senator Femi Lanlehin, Elder Wole Oyelese and Hon. Muraina Ajibola.
Others are Senator Hosea Agboola, Bar. Lowo Obisesan, Hon. Demola Ojo, Mrs. Bose Adedibu, Mr. Dare Adeleke, Engineer Femi Babalola, Hon. Ladi Adedibu and Hon. Asimiyu Alarape. Also at the meeting are Hon. Mulikat Adeola and Mr. Tajudeen Oladipo