Ahead of the South West zonal congress scheduled for today, facts have emerged that all is not well in Ayo Fayose’s camp. This came following the decision by delegates from Ekiti and Ogun states to pledge loyalty to Ambassador Taofik Arapaja, a former Oyo state deputy governor and leading aspirant for the Peoples’ Democratic Party southwest chairmanship position at the party’s congress scheduled for Monday.
The crack in Fayose’s camp emerged following complaints by delegates loyal to him over neglect, abandonment and negligence of their interest.
Trouble started when a group of Ekiti state delegates within Fayose’s camp, led by a former house of reps member, complained that monies promised to delegates for mobilization and feeding have not been paid to them since they arrived at Osogbo, Osun state. The former federal legislator also accused Fayose of deceiving them with bogus promises without fulfilling any. He lamented his ordeal and expressed regret for blindly following the former governor.
The legislator’s complaint was echoed by other delegates present, from there, they decided to take their destinies to their hands.
Also, the PDP chairman informed his Lagos and Ekiti counterparts of the decision of delegates from his state to deliver their votes to Ambassador Taofik Arapaja for the PDP zonal chairmanship election, as well as other candidates endorsed by the camp of Governor Seyi Makinde.
The Ogun state party chairman lamented that he cannot be opposition in his state and PDP. He decried the severe polarization of the party that made them lose the 2019 election, and vowed that it would be different this time around. He further accused Eddy Olafeso of deliberately furthering crises for his selfish agenda.
He and other executive members are expected to formally make known their decision before commencement of the congress proper.
In another development, the camp of Senator Ademola Adeleke is in a state of confusion following the decision of the former senator to boycott the congress. According to the party faithful, Adeleke is currently holidaying in the United States, and has failed to communicate with his supporters in the past 72 hours.
Meanwhile, Osogbo, where the party’s congress is to hold, is relatively peaceful. Delegates are seen ready to vote in the interest of the unity of the party in the zone.
Governor Seyi Makinde, the Oyo state governor, has continued to sue for peace. He also assured every stakeholder that the congress will be peaceful despite the schemes of those that don’t wish the party well.