>
The lawmaker representing Ekiti South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Biodun Olujimi, has called on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to as a matter of urgency commence a process of genuine reconciliation of all contending groups in Ekiti State chapter of the party if it wants to win next year’s governorship election.
She stated this on Sunday in Omuo-Ekiti,in Ekiti East Local Government Area of the state during the commissioning of blocks of classrooms and distribution of fertilizers and herbicides to farmers in Ekiti South Senatorial District.
Recall the Ekiti State chapter of the party had been polarised into two factions since 2019, with one loyal to her while the other faction is loyal to the former Governor Ayodele Fayose.
But Olujimi said that the party has no luxury of time as political parties participating in the governorship election ought to have conducted a primary election to pick candidates by March 2022.
She stressed that unless the Prince Uche Secondus-led PDP NWC commences a process of genuine reconciliation, it might spell doom for the party in the forthcoming governorship election.
She said: “There is no doubt that time is running out for PDP in Ekiti. I believe that we should explore peaceful avenue before we embark on any extraneous steps. The party leadership must sit down and look at all the issues and resolve them amicably. Failure to do so will not be palatable for the party and I am sure the party is aware of this.
“If they don’t do that, the party may not be able to focus on the task ahead and we don’t want the PDP to be out of the picture in 2022. What is on the ground if not well resolved, can take the PDP out of the 2022 calculation and we need to guide against it.”
The former senate minority leader cautioned Fayose against placing curses on perceived opponent of his anointed aspirant, Mr Bisi Kolawole, saying that such action was not only unacceptable, but condemnable.
She said that leaders in Ekiti ought to preach peace, love and reconciliation, adding that winning election require the support of all party men and women.
“As for me, this is unacceptable. You can’t curse anyone because the business of politics needs peace and friendship. Let us even agree without conceding that his aspirant emerges, will he not need the support of those he has cursed.
“The language of leadership should be peace, love and reconciliation because political parties operate open door policy. In other words, you are free to join and you are free to leave.
“We have to be nice to each other and ensure that there is peace. I am sure that the former governor must have looked back and known that it was not proper and be ready to make amends,” Olujimi said.