Some local government chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State have warned the former governor of the state, Ayo Fayose, to stay away from the party’s upcoming congresses in August.
The warning comes after Fayose met with party members on Monday, where he promised to provide financial support for candidates and called for unity within the party in the state.
However, the local government chairmen, in a statement signed by Kole Abiodun, the PDP chairman in Irepodun/Irepodun Local Government Area, stated that Fayose’s promise of financial assistance was unacceptable, alleging that it was a plot by the former governor to regain control of the party for his own benefit.
The chairmen further noted that they no longer consider Fayose a member of the PDP after he reportedly endorsed Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for a second term on several occasions.
“Fayose’s endorsement of Oyebanji for a second term, both publicly and privately, on several occasions. So, coming around donating money and preaching fake unity in our party can never move us,” Abiodun stated.
In response, Fayose’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, said that the PDP members who are “lamenting” are the same ones responsible for the party’s current situation in the state. Olayinka added that Fayose is now preaching the coming together of all PDP members, and the party members should simply face him at the congresses and defeat him if they consider him to be inconsequential.
The upcoming PDP congresses in Ekiti State are expected to be a crucial battleground as the party seeks to rebuild and strengthen its position ahead of future elections.