The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the State of Osun, Hon Soji Adagunodo has described the announcement of Ogun state PDP Chairman, Alhaji Sikirulai Ogundele as the new Chairman of the forum in as a nullity.
In a statement, Adagunodo who is the Chairman of Forum of South West PDP Chairmen said the decision of the South West Caretaker Committee of the party to install Ogundele is an abberation adding that the leadership of the forum is not in contention.
The Osun PDP Chair noted that the forum which is exclusive to the Chairmen is not a constitutional organ of the party and therefore is independent of the mandate of the Southwest working committee.
Adagunodo insisted that the existing leadership of the forum is subsisting stressing that the purported announcement might further degenerate the leadership crisis facing the party in the zone.
He stated that “The affair of the Forum of State Chairmen is an exclusive preserve of the State Chairmen. It has no relationship whatsoever with and is independent of the mandate of the South West Caretaker Committee members or Southwest Working Committee.
“The existing leadership of the forum still subsists and it has not been announced that the forum wants to change its leadership.
“In our capacity and in the best interest of our great Party, the entire members of the forum are taking positive steps and committed to sincere efforts geared towards the de-escalation of the crises within the party in the region and will not entertain unnecessary interference from any quarters, specifically from the Caretaker Committee Members, about who becomes what in the forum because we don’t want to bring the forum into the impasse rocking the party in the South West.
“In the light of the above, the purported announcement by the caretaker members of the Party in the South West installing Alhaji Sikirulai Ogundele as the Forum Chairman cannot hold and is therefore, null and void and of no effect.”
Adagunodo held that the forum is committed to ensure that the reconciliatory moves of the leaders in the Zone and foster the anticipated stability.
“We acknowledge the giant strides and in totality, support the bridge building moves of the Zonal Reconciliations Committee led by His Excellency Former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
“We equally reiterate our unalloyed support for and total commitment to the leadership of His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde in the Zone. Importantly, we implore all discontented leaders of thought in Zone to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign.
“Finally, we call on every conscious member of the Caretaker Committee to steer clear of the affairs of the Forum and to desist forthwith, from any actions that may further decimate the Party and not submit to the tricks of those who are hellbent on running the Party in the South West aground,” the statement explained.
