Ekiti PDP PCC: Fayose Loyalists Query Inclusion Of SDP Members

Loyalists of the former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Ayo Fayose including the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last Ekiti State 2022 poll, Otunba Bisi Kolawole and seven National Assembly candidates for the 2023 general election have turned down their nomination as members of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council in the state.

Kolawole and the seven National Assembly candidates of the PDP  premised their rejection of the nomination  on the domination of the council by members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In separate letters dated December 18, addressed to the Director General, Atiku/ Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, Governor Aminu Tambuwal,  Kolawole and the National Assembly members queried the inclusion of the SDP members in the team when PDP loyalists who ought to be members were not included.

The PDP NASS candidates in the state, include two senatorial candidates; Lateef Ajijola (Ekiti Central) and Funso Ayeni (Ekiti North) and five House of Representatives candidates; Yinka Akerele (Ekiti North 1),

Lere Olayinka (Ekiti Central 2),  Emiola Jennifer (Ekiti South 2), Joju Fayose (Ekiti Central 1 and Babatunde Ajayi (Ekiti North 2).

Kolawole said that he could not work with those he described as enemies of the PDP whose penchant for betrayal and sabotage are top-notch.

He wondered why the leadership of the party would nominate members of SDP who dumped PDP after the poll that produced him and worked against his candidature in the last governorship election into the campaign council.

He described the decision of the party as a sad commentary on party loyalty and discipline, saying “by doing this, we are only saying that it pays to leave PDP and work for other parties”.

Kolawole who was named the Campaign Chairman equally expressed displeasure over rejection of the campaign lists he was asked to draft and the inclusion of SDP members, saying such was a clear indication that Atiku/Okowa presidential campaign council doesn’t respect its own decision.

The NASS candidates said that it would be suicidal for the party and its candidates  to allow SDP loyalists into the campaign council when their party would be on the ballots come 2023.