Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Sunday, elected Hon Olasoji Adagunodo, as the party’s chairman in the state.
Adagunodo was earlier elected chairman of the party in a congress held in 2016 at the city stadium, but his major contestant, Dr. Bayo Faforiji, kicked, hence dividing the party in the state.
The PDP has been led by the two faction operating different secretariat in the state. While the faction of Adagunodo was recognised by many, Faforiji and Senator Omisore, stood with some members of the party.
The congress which 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 youth and sport, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, former national deputy chairman, Shuaib Oyedokun, and a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Oluwole Oke.
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 members, Dipo Eluwole and Albert Adeogun, Senator Olu Alabi, Nathaniel Oke SAN, among others.
The factional Chairman, Dr. Bayo Faforiji, had on Saturday during the local government congress, accused the party leadership of favouring the side of Adagunodo and neglected him when their representatives arrived the state.
He said, “they came to the state, went to Secretariat of a faction in Ikirun road, addressed them and went ahead with the congress without carrying us along.
Delivering his speech on Sunday, Adagunodo called on aggrieved members of the party to support him in rescuing the state from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
“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.
