…Urges stakeholders to shun distractions, focus on electoral victory
By Jeleel Olawale
Governor Ademola Adeleke has attributed the recent crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Ife Federal constituency to miscommunication and the meddling of external forces.
The turmoil followed a vote of no confidence passed by the constituency’s party leadership on Deputy Governor Prince Kola Adewusi and another chieftain, citing alleged anti-party activities.
In a bid to restore calm and prevent further escalation, Governor Adeleke convened a reconciliation meeting with PDP stakeholders in the constituency.
The session, which brought together key figures including Deputy Governor Adewusi, Deputy Senate Minority Leader Senator Lere Oyewumi, Osun PDP Chairman Hon. Sunday Bisi, Secretary to the State Government Hon. Teslim Igbalaye, Chief of Staff Hon. Kazeem Akinleye, Chairman of the Commissioners’ Forum Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa, and other prominent party leaders, ended with a resolution to bury the hatchet and unite ahead of upcoming elections.
Speaking after the meeting, Adeleke described the feud as largely the result of poor communication, compounded by attempts from outside elements to fracture the PDP in Ife. He praised the willingness of party elders and stakeholders to embrace reconciliation.
“Throughout this meeting today, I see Ile-Ife PDP very truly united. I listened to all the leaders and observed clearly that the problem arose from a communication gap. There is also a strong sign of an outsider plot to divide Ife PDP,” the governor said.
“Now that we have seen the roots of the matter, I charge us to get back to work. Our administration has done so much for Ifeland, and we are still going to do more. Ile-Ife is PDP territory. Go back and sustain the tempo. I commend the elders and leaders, the senatorial leader, the local party chairmen, the elected party chairmen, party chiefs and operatives. Go back and continue working for the party’s victory,” he added.
Earlier, State Chairman Hon. Sunday Bisi described the crisis as a family matter that had now been settled in good faith.
“We are glad that all issues have been ironed out. It is the resolution of this meeting that all statutory gatherings for party mobilisation should resume, and all members must firmly reject any act that could be misinterpreted as anti-party activity,” Bisi declared.
