PDP holds parallel congresses, two chairmen emerges

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State on Saturday held parallel state congresses to elect separate state working committee members to run the affairs of the party in the state.

The parallel congresses, held at different locations were for the factions loyal to former Governor Ayodele Fayose and Senator Abiodun Olujimi.

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A former Commissioner for Environment, Mr.  Bisi Kolawole,  emerged as chairman from former Governor Ayodele Fayose/Segun Oni’s group while a former member of the House of Representatives, Kehinde Odebunmi was elected from the splinter group loyal to Senator Biodun Olujimi.

Speaking after the congress, Fayose said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will be defeated in Ekiti with unity and discipline of members in the party.

According to him, loyalty remains the best ingredient the party members must exhibit to be able to triumph over Governor Kayode Fayemi-led APC, saying Ekiti people have serious resentment for the ruling party.

Also speaking, Chief Segun Oni,  appealed to the party to eschew internal wrangling, promising that he would work with Fayose and other like-minds to get rid of APC in the state.

But, in his acceptance speech at the parallel congress held at Lotus Hotel in Ado Ekiti,  Odebunmi who is loyal to Senator Olujimi’s group said the task of repositioning Ekiti PDP has begun with his emergence.

Odebunmi condemned  Fayose for trying to forcefully take over the party’s structures in “flagrant violation of the existing statute and extant laws guiding the PDP”.