Fayose, Olujimi trade words over authentic Obi/Atiku campaign council

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti worsened on Tuesday as former Governor Ayodele Fayose and Senate Minority Leader Biodun Olujimi inaugurated parallel Atiku /Obi Campaign Council.

While Fayose’s inauguration took place at his former campaign office in Adebayo area of the state capital, Olujimi’s inauguration took place at the Ajilosun area and was attended by party leaders loyal to her.

But Fayose declared the inauguratio by Olujimi as an effort in futility and action that lacks substance.

He warned he was not contesting for any elective position, saying that he may mobilise the people to vote against those he described as ‘traitors’.

“They need me more than I need them. We will ask our people to vote against these betrayers,” he began.

The infuriated former governor said: “The campaign council was carefully selected to cut across all shades of opinion in the state PDP, wondering what the complaint was all about”.

He added there were still rooms for others, including those aggrieved to be part of the sub committees that would be set up by the council.

Chairman of the campaign council for the two camps and former Deputy Governor, Prof Kolapo Olusola, who distanced himself from Olujimi’s inauguration, said Olujimi’s council was unconstitutional and illegal.

“There is no alternative campaign council except this one. Any other campaign council where my name appears is illegal,” he said.

Ekiti PDP chairman, Barrister Gboyega Oguntuase, noted the Fayose -led council was the legitimate and authentic body.

He said: “This is the legal and legitimate gathering for the event. This is the centre of the leadership of the party in Ekiti State.

“Any other gathering is not only illegal but it is also provocative but we shall not be provoked.

“Wherever the party chairman is the centre and since the state party chairman is here, and it is this only place that this inauguration remain valid.”

Olujimi condemned Fayose’s council, saying it was a total nullity.

She stressed injustice breeds impunity and that if the party stakeholders met and selected people,  no individual including Fayose has the right to void same.

She said: “He was not a party to the selection of the campaign council, they have a right to continue with their assignment. What we said we don’t want is to say that they don’t matter.

“Those appointed have started work. They have even written letters to the state government for the release of the Stadium.

“They were supposed to have been inaugurated on January 3rd. Suddenly everything changed and Fayose fiddled with the list.

“Why we are here is that we are saying that we cannot shift the goalpost in the middle of the game. We are standing by the original list.”

THE NATION