Osun PDP Crisis Archives

Osun PDP Leaders Want Omisore To Declare Status Or Face Disciplinary Action

Leaders of thought in the Osun Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP on Friday decried the action of a former Deputy Governor of the State, Otunba Iyiola Omisore who burnt four flags of the PDP at the Ogo Oluwa secretariat of the party.

Addressing a press conference at the NUJ Correspondents Chapel in Osogbo on Friday, the leaders want Omisore to publicly apologize for the “misdeed” or face disciplinary action from the National Headquarters of the main opposition party in the state.

Read the text of the Press Conference below:

TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY EX- PDP POLITICAL OFFICE HOLDERS AT THE OSUN NUJ CORRESPONDENTS CHAPEL, Today Friday, April 6th, 2018.

Gentlemen of the press,

We address you today on behalf of the teeming members of our Forum who are former members of the National Assembly, Osun state House of Assembly, Commissioners, ex-local government chairmen, vice chairmen and councilors, Former Special Advisers and Executive Assistant to the Governor, Board chairmen and Heads of Agencies.

We are all leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun state and are therefore very interested in the progress of the party and its success in all elections beginning with the Governorship polls in September this year.

We use this medium to state that we are deeply shocked, saddened and disappointed at the most recent conduct of a former deputy governor who is also a former senator, Otunba Iyiola Omisore, who was reported to have personally supervised the burning of the PDP flag and other party symbols by some hoodlums at his office in Osogbo yesterday.

Picture showing him superintend over the burning of PDP flags and banner at the former PDP secretariat, Ogo Oluwa went viral on all Media yesterday.It is a fact that his yesterday’s action was the peak of the senator’s self-determined war against the PDP, the party of which he has been a major beneficiary.

To those who may not know, Omisore’s fight against our party dated back to year 2014 immediately after the gubernatorial election that held in the state during which he was our candidate.That the PDP lost in the election may no longer be news but the secret behind the party’s undeserved loss at the poll remains the issue that thereafter culminated into so many regrettable developments for the party.

As a serious party after the elections, various committees were set up to probe into why we lost and there were many serious and disappointing revelations which include but not limited to the fact that the senator who was our candidate helped his pockets to a great extent with funds meant for the election. He couldn’t account till today for several billions of naira meant for providing essential logistics for the 2014 elections.

Attempts to ask him questions led to so many unpalatable reactions from him which included the ejection of the party from his Ogo Oluwa property which hitherto served the party’s state secretariat.Amidst this came the issue of EFCC allegations, investigations, arrest, detention, and refund of several billions of naira which he allegedly collected for the purpose of the governorship elections.

Despite his isolation of the party at the time of collection and appropriation of the funds, as a responsible party we stood by him during the travails. Our party joined him to suffer the image battery because of the brotherly love and respect we had for him.All these could not appease the former Deputy Governor who had since turned himself into an albatross for the party and continued to promote factions and disloyalty to the party leadership especially under the leadership of Prince Uche Secondus.

The hallmark of this untoward act was yesterday’s desecration of the party symbols in an apparent show of gross indiscipline and ingratitude.

This is quite unbecoming of a man who had been greatly favored by the PDP in his times of trials and need and still hoped to fly the flag of the party as a governorship candidate.

It is unfortunate that in spite of the assurances given by the national leadership of the party to provide a level playing ground for all governorship aspirants in the PDP, Otuba Omisore would rather prefer to be made the automatic candidate of the party in flagrant disrespect to the constitution of the party and the resolve of the Uche Secondus led NWC to deviate from the impunity of the past and allow full internal democracy.

It is obvious that Otunba Omisore is terribly afraid of any competition from other aspirants. This is clearly an admission of his total loss of popularity among the rank and file of party members and indeed his unacceptability by the electorate.

Members of the Fafoirji group at the secretariat

It is also on record that two other political parties recently approached by Otunba Omisore in his political desperation as his Plan B have both rejected him hence his utter state of confusing utterances after yesterday’s events.

We are happy inform you that over 90% of his hither-to supporters, some of whom were deceived with a phantom empowerment programme to attend the meeting in his office yesterday have vowed to remain in the State PDP under the leadership of Hon. Soji Adagunodo.

In the light of the above stated facts therefore, the forum of EX PDP POLITICAL OFFICE HOLDERS IN OSUN STATE hereby make the following demands:

1. That Otuba Iyiola Omisore must within the next 72hours condemn the barbaric action of the hoodlums who desecrated the PDP flag in his office yesterday and tender an unreserved apology to the leadership of the party for the unacceptable conduct

.2. That Otunba Omisore must unequivocally state his stance on the continued membership of the party or otherwise rather in view of the conflicting statements emanating from his aides and confidants in the last 24 hours.

3. That in the event of Otunba Omisore choosing to remain in the PDP, he must within the same 72hours withdraw all court cases instituted by him through his proxies and explore the internal mechanism in the party to resolve any grievances he has.

4. That in the event of a failure of Otunba Omisore to do the above, we call the leadership of the party at all levels to take appropriate disciplinary action against him in order to show that no single individuals inordinate ambition is above the larger interest of the party.

We thank you most sincerely for your attention.

PHOTONEWS: Omisore Supporters Burn PDP Flags In Osogbo

Some supporters of the Former Deputy Governor of Osun, Senator Iyiola Omisore on Thursday thronged the Ogo Oluwa secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party along Gbongan/Ibadan Road in Osogbo and burned four flags of the PDP.

The event was said to have confirmed what many term as the beginning of the end of Omisore’s journey in the PDP.

Here are photos from the incident as captured by our reporter, Toba Adedeji

EXCLUSIVE: Faforiji To Leave PDP, Omisore May Also Quit

After the election of Soji Adagunodo as the new Chairman of the Osun Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the prolonged crisis of the chapter could take another twist in the coming days.

On the heels of yesterday’s state congress which produced Adagunodo, the other faction led by a former Commissioner for Works in the state, Dr Bayo Faforiji that is loyal to a former Deputy Governor of the state, Senator Iyiola Omisore on Monday released a statement which suggests the fact that Faforiji and his supporters including Omisore are moving away from the PDP.

The former factional chairman of the state PDP also announced that the movement working for Omisore to become the next Governor of the state will in no distant time fly a new political movement that would work for him.

The statement shared on a whatsapp platform reads “Finally, the long and tortuous journey in the dark tunnel of the discarded PDP days is over! What a sweet relief!”

“Now is the time for us to hit the ground running. As soon as our next destination is determined and established, everyone must take up the challenge of spreading the gospel of “Omisore for Governor” throughout the nooks and crannies of Osun State.”

See the full statement below:

Adagunodo Emerges New Osun PDP Chairman As Omisore Faction Kicks

The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Sunday, elected Hon Olasoji Adagunodo, as the party’s chairman in the state.

The congress held at Osogbo city Stadium on Sunday, had in attendance leaders of the party across the state and witnessed by the National body of the party led by Emmanuel Agbor, Chairman Electoral Committee.

Those at the congress include, former National Secretary, Professor Wale Ladipo, former Deputy Governor in the state and former Minister of State for Defense, Erelu Olusola Obada, former Minister for Youths and Sports, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, Sen. Olu Alabi, former National Deputy Chairman, Shuaib Oyedokun, and members of the House of Representatives, Hon Oluwole Oke and Hon Albert Adeogun

Others are, former Secretary to the Osun State Government, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, Prince Ade Fadahunsi, former Chairman of the party in the state, Gani Ola-Oluwa, former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Adejare Bello, Senator Felix Ogunwale, House of Assembly member, Dipo Eluwole, Nathaniel Oke SAN, among others.

Delivering his speech, Adagunodo called on aggrieved members of the party to support him .

“Let me therefore use this opportunity to extend a hand of friendship to our fellow contestants who also offered themselves for the service of our party in various positions.

“I want to assure you all that the fact that you lost in this election does not in anyway mean that you are less competent to run the affairs of the party.

“We shall ensure that no member of the party suffers any form of discrimination on the basis of his or her previous affiliation during our crisis period. We shall, in word and in deed show that truly, there are no victors and there are no vanquished.

“For members of other political parties who have been indicating interest in joining the PDP but were constrained by the crisis of the last two years, I want to tell you that the siege is now over and our doors are wide open for you to come and join us,” he stated.

The faction loyal to Senator Iyiola Omisore which has Dr Bayo Faforji as its chairmanship hopeful have since rejected the congress that produced Adagunodo, saying the process was fradulent and bereft of the party’s guidelines.

Osun PDP has since 2014 when it lost to Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s All Progressives Congress APC been unsettled with varying leaders of the party battling to have the control of the state exco’s leadership in preparation for September’s governorship election.

Osun PDP Crisis: NEC Order Completion Of Ward Congresses On Saturday

The National Working Committee of PDP has directed that the completion of wards Congresses should hold on Saturday in the State of Osun based on the Report of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Below is the timetable which includes the venue of where the congresses will hold on Saturday.

Ademola Adeleke Denies Interest In Osun Governorship

The Senator representing Osun West Senatorial District, Ademola Adeleke has distanced himself from those jostling for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP for September’s Governorship Election in the state.

In a statement by Dele Adeleke on his behalf, the senator said contrary to the report of an online medium that he plans to declare a governorship ambition very soon.

Senator Adeleke said rather than contest, efforts to settle the crisis within the PDP is his priority.

The statement reads “The Senator appreciates the flow of goodwill and love from well wishers across the state but this story from “SPEARGIST” is nothing but falsehood.”

“Senator Ademola Adeleke remains committed to his mandate and topmost on his priority list remains the unification of our party and the healing of wounds that the protracted division had caused.”

“Let no one stain the good memories of our dearly beloved departed brother and leader of the masses; Alh Isiaka
Adetunji Adeleke with cheap politicisation of a day to honour him.”

Things Fall Apart In Osun PDP

By Nofisat Adeoye

The heat between the two factions of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State continues to get worse as the two factions are presently knocking heads over the harmonization template handed to them by Chairman, National Caretaker committee, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi.

If the situation is not well managed, the party might not be participating in the fast approaching local government election in the state and might subsequently jeopardise its chances of winning the next gubernatorial election too.

While one faction led by Dr. Bayo Faforiji has accepted the template, the other faction led by Hon. Soji Adagunodo has however, rejected it, terming it as “unjust” and an imposition.

The two factions locked horns on a radio programme monitored by OSUN DEFENDER, with a leader from the Adagunodo faction, Akogun Lere Oyewumi opposing the template and another from Faforiji faction, Mr Ismail Kolawole, supporting the harmonization.

Adagunodo had also earlier addressed a press conference during which he stated his faction’s rejection of the template.

He had also alleged that the Faforiji faction has altered the ward congresses list, saying they have observed that the results have been deliberately kept away from them because of the alteration.

During the radio programme, Lere Oyewumi said the party wanted a new elective congress and not the harmonization template.

He stated that Markafi was being impartial and had manipulated the ward congresses in favour of the Faforiji faction.

Olalere also challenged the other faction to fresh ward congresses.

Replying that the Faforiji faction was not afraid of fresh Congresses, Kolawole however, lamented that the other faction were being uncivil.

Meanwhile, observers have enjoined the two factions to put aside their personal interest and work hand in hand for the betterment of the party.

Osun PDP Ward Congress: Crisis Looms As Adagunodo’s Faction Reject Makarfi’s Harmonization Template

By Toba Adedeji

As the Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party continues to bask in crisis over the result of the ward congresses recently held across the state, the Soji Adagunodo led faction on Monday rejected the harmonization template handed to them by Chairman, National Caretaker committee, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi.

Hon. Soji Adagunodo who announced the rejection to newsmen at the Party’s Secretariat, Osogbo in the presence of the former Deputy Governor of the state, Erelu Olusola Obada and the pioneer State Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, kicked against the template describing it as ‘unjust’.

The letter read by Hon Adagunodo to party members dated, 27th November 2017 had the former speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Adejare Bello, Mr Bamidele Salam, a gubernatorial aspirant, Kayode Oduoye and other 21 Chieftains of the party as signatories.

The letter alleged that the Dr. Bayo Faforiji faction has altered the ward congresses list saying they have observed that the results have been deliberately kept away from them because of the alteration.

The letter titled, “RE: PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY OSUN STATE TEMPLATE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS HARMONIZATION: OUR POSITION, read, “We refer to the template for the Local government areas harmonization discussed by the two groups of Adagunodo/Faforiji on Tuesday 21st November, 2017 at the PDP National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza , Abuja Chaired by Senator Abdul Ningi- the National Organizing Secretary of PDP in company of Prince Dayo Adeyeye- National Publicity Secretary, Hajiya Adodo- National Women Leader, Alhaji Sarafa Isola- Osun State PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman as well as Hon Demola Ojo- Osun State PDP Caretaker Committee Secretary. Senator Ademola Adeleke and Hon Wole Oke were also in attendance”.

“After due consultation with the leadership, Stakeholders, rank and file of the membership of the Party across the 30 Local government areas of Osun State, we were mandated to inform you that the said template discussed at the aforementioned meeting is not acceptable to the generality of Party members in Osun State as it is not proportional to the strength of the groups as reflected in the INEC authenticated WARD CONGRESS result.

“Also members of the Party that paid for and obtained nomination forms, in accordance to the party’s constitution and congress guidelines, are insisting that due process and internal democracy must be followed, more so that the majority of the people who, by the principle of harmonization that will be the major beneficiaries as being demanded, did not obtain any nomination forms.

“More importantly, there are insinuations that the ward congress list has been altered in favour of Faforiji group .The insinuations seem correct as we have observed that the results have been deliberately kept away from us.

” Our plea, therefore, is to urge you to draw an all- inclusive template that would reflect the proportional strength of the groups across the state. We therefore demand for the Certified true copy of the results of the ward congress.

“Please permit us to state that we are not confrontational but leadership demands that we convey the position of our teeming Party members who are the mobilizers of the Osun State electorates to you”.

The Faction noted in their letter that, 213 wards concluded their elective congresses while the remaining 119 were subsequently harmonised.

According to the letter, “All efforts to move on to the subsequent stages of Local and State congresses have been thwarted by forces who do not mean well for the party. Nomination forms have been bought and submitted by party members who desire to contest for party offices but the National headquarters of the party has connived with a tiny minority to prevent the holding of congresses. Rather they are pushing for what they called harmonisation which does not take into consideration the strength of each group and aspirants.

“The whole plan is to foist the will of the minority and the majority. This is contrary to the spirit of internal democracy promised by the National Caretaker committee of the party. It is a continuation of the ugly past of impunity which the Makarfi exco promised to deviate from,” the Faction concluded.

According to Adagunodo, “The follwing big wigs were the signatory to the letter; Niyi Owolade Esq., Hon. Muyiwa Oladimeji, Rt. Hon. Adejare Bello Esq, Dr. Lere Oyewumi, Dapo Adekunle Esq, Alhaja Afusat Amoo, Hon. Akanmu Akanfe, Bamidele Salam Esq., Alhaji Asifat Olarinde, Kayode Oduoye Esq., Hon. Adekunle Alao, Mrs Cicilia Omolaoye, Alhaji Ayorinde Fatai, Major R.A Towobola (Rtd), Hon. Wole Afolaju, Hon. Mayowa Adejorin, Hon. Ayodeji Areola, Deacon Noah Oderinu, Mrs Rolake Oluokun, Mr. Sunday Olagbaju, Taofeeq Olayiwola Esq., Hon Ebenezer Adeniji, Alhaji Liadi Gbadamosi and Hon (Mrs.) Akande.’