Adagunodo, Bisi Lay Claim To Osun PDP Chairmanship

By Ismaeel Uthman

The Senator Bukola Saraki-led Reconciliation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has held a meeting with the two warring factions of the party in the State of Osun.

Both Hon. Soji Adagunodo and Mr. Sunday Bisi-led factions attended the meeting, with hope that the reconciliation committee will find lasting solutions to the crisis rocking the PDP in the state.

On the side of Adagunodo at the meeting were: Major R.A. Towobola, Hon. Wale Ojo, Comrade Seyi Bamidele, Alhaji Jide Bakare Awuyewuye, Alhaja Fausat Sarumi-Adebanjo, Hon. Adelani Ajanaku, Lord Emmanuel Moyeh, Alhaji Yisa Bello and Alhaji Remi Arogundade.

The other faction led by Bisi had: Diran Odeyemi, Sen Kola Ogunwale Jumokol, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa, Hon. Ibukun Fadipe, Akogun Lere Oyewumi, Mr. Sunday Atidade, Prince Bola Ajao, Barr. Niyi Owolade and Dr. B.T. Salam at the meeting.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that Reverend Bunmi Jenyo and one other member of the party who belong to the Bisi faction were sent out of the meeting by the former Senate President.

Saraki urged the two factions to be open to reconciliation and prioritise the interest of the party.

However, both Adagunodo and Bisi were still laying claim to be the Chairman of the party in the state.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER in separate telephone interviews, both Adagunodo and Bisi expressed confidence in the Saraki-led committee, just as they maintained that they would abide by its decision.

Adagunodo said: “The reconciliation has not ended. The one we had during the week is the first set of the meeting. We will still have series of meetings before we come to a conclusion. There is no conclusion yet. I think it is a right step taken by Senator Bukola Saraki.

“The meeting with him was the first time the two parties will be meeting and it is a positive thing. Everyone is still standing on its ground. I am still the Chairman of the party. If you check the Appeal Court judgment, there is nowhere it was said that Sunday Bisi should be the Chairman.

“The judgment set aside the order of the High Court on the 3rd of November, and I am not operating on that. I am operating on the order of 9th of November, though we are appealing the Court of Appeal ruling at the Supreme Court. We filed an appeal last Thursday. I am still the Chairman”.

In his reaction, Bisi said: “The meeting with Senator Bukola Saraki is just a reconciliation move which is to pacify aggrieved persons and ensure peace reigns in the party. They are not changing anything. The Court of Appeal has ruled and confirmed me as the Chairman of the party in the state. The committee will have to respect the court order.

“Does appealing the ruling make him (Adagunodo) the Chairman? No. He should wait till the Supreme Court judgment. You don’t need to be a lawyer to understand this. When he got the order of a State High Court in Ikirun, he retained his chairmanship position. Did I call myself the Chairman then? No. Now that the Appeal Court has pronounced me as the Chairman, he should respect the court too. If he issues a statement and calls himself the Chairman of the party in the state, I am going to take him up on that. I am sure he is aware of contempt of court and he won’t want to try that.

“I have faith in the Senator Bukola-led Reconciliation Committee. I will abide by the resolution of the committee.