By Adeyinka Adeniran
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Southwest zone has unanimously agreed to select its leaders in the zone through consensus to foster peace and unity in the party.
The Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party, and a former deputy governor of Oyo State, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, stated this on Wednesday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the Southwest PDP zonal executive meeting held at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
Ambassador Arapaja noted that leaders of the party in the Southwest, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and his counterpart from Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke, have discussed and resolved to retain the positions held by states hoping that Lagos and Ogun states would agree to the terms.
He added that the decision is a strategic move to promote unity and cohesion within the party and avoid the divisions and conflicts that often accompany competitive elections.
He further stated that the agreement was not imposed on the party members as they all pledged their support so as to play a positive role at the national level.
Ambassador Arapaja said: “We felt that they should still retain the positions they are holding currently. People gladly accepted the arrangement except only two states but we are still talking to them.
“Our governors and leaders in the party have also said they should settle the rift in their respective states because we don’t want crisis. We want unity.
“If resolved, the only thing we would then do is to affirm whoever they have appointed, he concluded.”
The meeting, which was hosted by Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, had in attendance former governors, both serving and former deputy governors, wives of former governors, party leaders and stakeholders were in attendance.
Present at the press briefing were former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Senator Biodun Olujimi; Dr Eddy Oyefeso, PDP Southwest Secretary, Hon. Rahman Owokoniran; and Ogun State PDP Chairman, Hon Abayomi Tella.
