Makinde Warns PDP Leadership Against Shifting S/West Congresses

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has warned the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against postponing the South-west zonal congress.

Naija News reports that the governor stated this while briefing newsmen at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.

He also called on the PDP leadership to call its National Legal Adviser, Emmanuel Eniodem to order to ensure rancour-free zonal congresses in the party.

Makinde described it as unthinkable to see a PDP as the plaintiff and defendant in a case deliberately filed to cause crisis in the party.

He said: “I came here to brief you, first, on the meeting of the southwest caucus of the PDP that was held here two days ago and also to discuss briefly the happenings within the PDP National Working Committee as it relates to upcoming southwest zonal congress of the party.

“At the meeting, we reaffirmed the zoning arrangement for the positions of the South West zonal executives, and also each state, by now, has been able to put together a unity list, which we intend to take to the congress proper.

“But yesterday, I heard of disturbing news that our National Working Committee is planning to postpone the South West zonal congress because some people went to court to complain about the location for the conduction of the congress.

“There are three things that are coming out of the court move. One, I want to say that PDP has moved from allowing within its fold, reactionary elements to hold sway. Maybe in the past, it was possible for elements within PDP to collude with the National Working Committee to file cases where they are the plaintiffs and defendants. And they also try to corrupt the judicial system in Nigeria.

“That will not be allowed because this is a PDP that is getting ready to take the mantle of leadership in this country. We want to provide leadership that is above board for the country and we cannot be seen within PDP to do something that will compromise any aspect of governance in Nigeria.”

He added: “Finally, we are ready in the South West PDP to have a congress that will produce the zonal executives that are acceptable to the majority of the people of the South West.

“As the only serving PDP governor in the South West Nigeria and a very interested party in the growth and development of our party, we do not foresee a parallel congress. That is why we are putting members of the National Working Committee of the party on notice that they must do what is right in this instance and I believe they will do what is right.”