By Jeleel Olawale

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party in Ife Federal Constituency over leadership confidence as taken a new dimension as leadership of the party in the federal constituency was on Monday passed vote of no confidence on Prof. Wale Oladipo, the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, and the PDP Chairman of Ife East Local Government, Hon. Olasunkanmi Makinde.

The party issued the communique after the meeting of the federal constituency of the party held at the residence of Osun East Senatorial leader in Ile-Ife.

The communique which was signed by one hundred and fifty leaders in the zone and cited by our correspondent.

The communique reads in part; The meeting was observed as follows:

“That the party is dissatisfied with the actions and conduct of Hon. Bimbo Ajilesoro, Member of the House of Representatives, who defected from the party with the mandate freely given to him by our people.

“That party leaders strongly condemn the invitation of thugs and hoodlums to the Ife Federal Constituency meeting by the Party Chairman, Hon. Olasunkanmi Makinde, purportedly on the instructions of Prof. Wale Oladipo. This meeting was earlier scheduled to be held at the residence of the deputy governor.

“That the leadership is equally disappointed by the continued fraternity of Prof. Wale Oladipo, the Deputy Governor Prince Kola Adewusi, and the Ife East PDP Chairman, Hon. Olasunkanmi Makinde (a.k.a Benco), with Hon. Bimbo Ajilesoro, who has since defected from the party.

“That in Ife East, the party is enraged that loyal members, such as Lawrence Omotosho, Adeyinka Adeniji (a.k.a Gbogbo Ebe), Yakubu Olawusi, and others, who openly disassociated themselves from Hon. Bimbo Ajilesoro, following his defection, are being continuously victimized by being relieved of their government and party positions. More importantly, party meetings in Ife East Local Government have been put on hold by these leaders, thereby weakening party activities in the area”.

“In view of the above, which amount to anti-party activities and pose grave danger to the success of the party in Ifeland, the meeting hereby resolves as follows:

“A vote of no confidence is passed on, Prof. Wale Oladipo, the Deputy Governor Prince Kola Adewusi, and the PDP Chairman of Ife East Local Government, Hon. Olasunkanmi Makinde (a.k.a Benco).

Similarly, the Osun State Peoples Democratic Party has called for calm over the recent development of Ife Federal Constituency, stating that the party has summoned concerned stakeholders in party concerning the matter.

“The attention of the Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a communiqué issued by some stakeholders in Ife Federal Constituency on Monday, 1st September, 2025, wherein a vote of no confidence was purportedly passed on highly respected leaders of our great party.

“The party directs all members and stakeholders in Ife Federal Constituency to immediately suspend further actions capable of escalating the situation. All concerned are hereby instructed to maintain status quo in line with the conflict resolution mechanisms of our party.

“The State Chapter of the PDP reiterates its respect and high regard for leaders of the party, particularly His Excellency, Prince Kola Adewusi, Deputy Governor of Osun State, and Prof Wale Oladipo, member of the PDP Board of Trustees.

“They remain critical pillars of our party, and any grievances directed at them must be channelled strictly through the internal conflict resolution mechanisms of the party, not through unilateral pronouncements or public declarations.

“The PDP warns that any action capable of undermining the authority of the party or flouting its rules and procedures will not be tolerated. Our party is governed by laws, guidelines, and established processes. Every member is therefore expected to conduct themselves accordingly.

“The party is taking immediate steps, summoning concerned stakeholders to a meeting with a view to resolving all issues as members of the same family.

“The Osun PDP strongly urges all contending forces in Ifeland to sheath their swords and embrace peace in the spirit of unity and discipline expected of us by the good people of Osun State”.