Ekiti PDP Factional Chairman, Kolawole, Says Crisis In Party A Family Affair

By Ayodele Oni

Factional Chairman of Ekiti State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Otunba Bisi Kolawole, has assured people of the state that the winner of the party’s gubernatorial primary will be supported by all stakeholders to win the general election.

Otunba Kolawole, who is also a Governorship aspirant of the party, said being an aspirant has in no way hampered his performance as the Chairman of the party in the state as he has been relating effectively with all for the purpose of unity, peace and progress of the party.

He added that at the appropriate time as stipulated by the constitution, he would resign his chairmanship and concentrate fully on his gubernatorial aspiration.

He made these assertions while responding to questions on a radio programme Saturday morning.

The Chairman, who described wranglings within the party as nothing strange in politics, expressed optimism that the storm would be over in no distant time.

“Like any other situation,  what is happening in Ekiti PDP is not strange.  Gradually, we’ll overcome all these problems, our people on the other side have approached the supreme court and whatever the outcome is, we’ll still come together and be a stronger force at the end of the day.

“When you are in a contest, issues like these are bound to come up but of course once a winner emerges, others will back him or her up to ensure success for all.

“There is a body set up by the National Working Committee of our party, it is saddled with the responsibility of resolving the problem in Ekiti and other States. This committee is working earnestly and making progress.

“As an individual, I relate with all the tendencies in the party on daily basis trying to convince them on why we should work together.

“I want to assure you that I am in constant touch with Senator Duro Faseyi,  Hon. Tunji Odeyemi, Lati Ajijola, Senator Abiodun Olujimi amongst other gladiators in the party and if we have not reached a compromise, it’s just a matter of time,  at a point we’ll get there.”

Otunba Kolawole, is an aspirant being sponsored by the former Governor of the state, Mr Ayodele Fayose, after he dumped his former deputy, Prof Eleka.

On the chances of the PDP winning the general election in case he does not emerge candidate of the party, Kolawole said he is not desperate.

“For Christ’s sake, it’s not a desperate beat. PDP remains PDP,  we are a united family,  we are only having misunderstanding because of our interests.

“By the time a candidate comes up, we will all give our support.  I am not desperate about anything, everybody is working hard to get the ticket, whoever gets it will be supported.”

The Chairman also described as fake news, a report alleging  that former Governor Fayose threatened to support Governor Fayemi’s candidate if he (Kolawole) did not emerge winner of the PDP primary.

“That was a fake news by the detractors of former governor Ayodele Fayose. For God’s sake, there are trivial issues you don’t get involved in, we all know former governor  Fayose as an individual who doesn’t hide behind a finger.

“What is the source of this cheap lie? We should not talk about fake issue here, it’s a non issue  and I am telling you categorically that former governor Fayose never said that. Whoever emerges candidate, we are going to support, PDP remains PDP!”

The PDP Chairman took a swipe on the Kayode Fayemi led APC government in Ekiti State over the increasing wave of insecurity in the land, warning that what has become of security at the centre should not be replicated in Ekiti.

“I leave Governor Kayode Fayemi for the people of Ekiti to judge, what I am concerned about at the immediate is the level of insecurity in our state, just yesterday, one person was killed and about five others kidnapped by unknown gunmen, we demand he does something about insecurity in our land immediately.

“He has a year to vacate office, he should do more to secure the lives of Ekiti people, what we have presently is grossly unacceptable, moving from one village to the other in Ekiti has become unsafe and I call on him to buckle up.”