PDP declares Ladoja Oyo party leader
From Iyabo Sotunde
THE National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), rose from its peace parley in Ibadan early yesterday morning declaring Governor Rashidi Ladoja the leader of the party in the state.
Besides, the NWC led by the party's National Chairman, Chief Audu Ogbeh faulted the purported dissolution of the party executive by Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, saying there are procedures to be followed before such decisions are made.
However, the peace parley which started at about 10.00 p.m. on Monday night and lasted all night was almost marred as supporters of the two warring factions engaged themselves in a free for all fight.
At the Premier Hotel venue of the meeting which had in attendance Governor Ladoja, Alhaji Adedibu, the Deputy National Chairman of the PDP Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, Deputy Vice Chairman of the PDP in the South-West, Chief Olabode George and the National Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Vincent Ogbulafor among others.
Supporters of the governor and his political godfather engaged one another in a fight which left three injured.
Ogbeh, in a chat with journalists at the end of the eight-hour meeting said the position of Governor Ladoja as the party's leader cannot be questioned.
Said he: "While the governor is the leader of the party, the chairman is the chief executive of the party, there is no argument about it.
"We do not transfer leadership. Otherwise you will be promoting anarchy. Our visit should not be misconstrued to mean support from Abuja, as far as we are concerned. When we came, we visited Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, we went to Adedibu's house from there to Yekini Adeojo's place, but the first point of call was the governor's office. Although, we respect party leaders, that is not to say the structure has been diminished.
"Whatever sentimental support anybody is enjoying is not for us to analyse or dispute but the fact is that there is a structure through which we work."
On the dissolution of the Chief Michael Adegbite-led party executive in the state and the subsequent selection of Chief Bayo Bankole, former Commissioner for Health as his successor, Chief Ogbeh insisted that the declaration by Adedibu was improper, stressing that "as far as we are concerned, Adegbite remains the party chairman.
"As at today, and for as long as we are concerned, Adegbite is our party chairman, we do not change structures that way. When we hear information or protest, we sit down and analyse them, we do not just decide on the spot," the PDP boss said.
Although Ogbeh noted that the peace parley was not too successful, he pointed out that their coming to Ibadan afforded them the opportunity to see things at close range in order to arrive at a definite position.
Ogbeh gave assurance that the crisis would be amicably resolved latest by next week when the NWC is expected to come out with its final decision.
He, however, expressed regrets over the fracas that broke out among supporters of the two feuding groups, saying such action was uncivilised.
Trouble had started at about 12.00 noon shortly after the meeting began.
The Guardian learnt that supporters of Adedibu had allegedly attempted to remove the party's flag hung on the governor's car which was resisted by his driver.
This, it was gathered, drew the ire of Adedibu's supporters who beat up the driver.
Irked by the development, supporters of the governor retaliated and in the ensuing melee, three persons, including Governor Ladoja's driver were seriously wounded.
The presence of armed policemen at the scene did not help matters as supporters dared the officers to shoot them, threatening to retaliate if any of them was shot.
It took the intervention of some party leaders, to restore semblance of peace. But throughout the meeting, the whole place was tense.
