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Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the Southwest Zone have called for zoning of the national chairmanship position to the party to the region, as part of the ongoing reconciliation deal being brokered between the two factions of the party.
Chairmen and party leaders of the party in the six states in the southwest made the call on Monday after a meeting in Ibadan.
The zonal party chieftains in a nine-point communique, hailed the reconciliation efforts being made at national level, stressing that the meeting was also part of the reconciliation process.
The communique, which was read by a former Minister of Sports, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, read:
“The Southwest PDP Forum initiated by the BoT members of PDP from the Southwest is a replica of the national edition of the party to bring about peace, reconciliation and harmony in the party came on board today on Monday October 10, 2016, in Ibadan, Oyo state.
“The theme of the Forum summit is: “Working Together to Regenerate Our Party in Line with the Spirit of the Founding Facilitators.”
” The Forum recognizes the role of BoT members, our able governors, National Assembly members, founding fathers and other critical stakeholders in bringing about peace in our party.
“We commend the spirits of sportsmanship exhibited by both Senator Makarfi and Senator Sherif joint committees in thrusting national peace and harmony in the party.
“The forum further resolves as follows:
“We commend the leadership and membership of PDP in Edo state at the last gallant fight in the last governorship election in the state.
“The Forum stands firmly by them in their effort to retrieve the stolen mandate. It also urges members and leaders of PDP in Ondo State to close ranks and work together as a solid and united team to sustain the control of the state by PDP come next election.
“This forum admonishes the leadership of our party to clearly zone the position of the National Chairmanship of our party to the Southwest as the only zone that has never held that position before.
“The forum calls on the state chapters of the party to replicate this type of meeting in their respective states to resolve all internal grievances.
“And finally, the Forum decided that irrespective of the various challenges facing the party at the national level, at the zonal level and each state of the federation, all leaders and members of the party have resolved to remain in PDP with a view to taking over power in Nigeria in 2019.”
The meeting, which was chaired by Chief Shuaib Oyedokun, had the following party chieftains in attendance: Senator. Buruji Kashamu, Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Teslim Folarin, Dr Ade Dosumu, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, Alh, Fatai Adeyanju and Prince Kola Balogun.
The six state chairmen present were: Mr Yinka Taiwo (Oyo), Segun Adewale (Lagos), Soji Adagunodo (Osun), Mr Biyi Moroye (Ondo), Engr Adebayo Dayo (Ogun) and Chief Ajayi William (Ekiti).