The long-standing crisis that plagued the Ogun State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the past 12 years has finally been resolved.
The party has had two parallel executives in the state and both had engaged in litigation against another.
The crisis was alleged to have culminated in the defeat of the party in the 2019 governorship election.
On Wednesday, the factional executives stormed the PDP Legacy House in Abuja and announced their resolve to end the crisis. The harmonised Exco was received by the National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus.
Speaking on behalf of the executive, the immediate-past governorship candidate of the party in the state, Ladi Adebutu explained that it became imperative for the party to harmonise and unite so as to reclaim the lost mandate.
“The party in Ogun has been embroiled in conflicts for 12 years. So a chapter that had 100% of all the elective position in the state has now moved to a party that has just one out of the 40 elective positions.
“In these 12 years, we have had 2 parallel executives in the state that have not always worked together. This culminated in a situation where in the last election when the party produced me as the candidate of the party, the other faction had another candidate. At the end of the day, unfortunately, we lost the election woefully.
“Happily today, it is my pleasure by the grace of God to now present to you the state working committee of the other faction. Our own faction we have been at peace and we have been recognized by the National working committee of the party. And to the glory of God today, I am happy to present to you the Secretary of the Ogun faction of the PDP, by name honourable Semiu Sodipo.
“Of the state 4 working committee, one is still at loggerhead with us, because he was a candidate in the last election. But interestingly, out of the 13 that are left, 10 are presently very active with the PDP and have aligned with the decision of the PDP national headquarters.
“Three are still drifting in and out, some days they claimed they are with us, another day they are with APC. But however, what this means is that out of 14 we have 10 led by the factional secretary returning fully to the mainstream and total alliance to the dictates of the party at the national level.
“The belief is that by this, all issues of litigation will be put to rest. Our party shall become one strong force again and shall remain the singular strongest opposition in Ogun state. And I can assure you that 2023 you can count on Ogun state in the Kitty for our party,” Adebutu stated.
Semiu Sodipo, the factional party secretary who has just returned, in his remarks said, “I want to join our leader in informing you that the crisis in Ogun state has really come to an end. I was part of the problem, I have been acting secretary. I was acting secretary from 2009 to 2010. I was the one who conducted one of the congresses in the 2011 election.”
Receiving the executives, Uche Secondus said the resolve has shown clearly that PDP has an internal conflict resolution mechanism to settle issues that have been lingering for a long time.
“By your statement and your submission today, it means that all ramblings in Ogun state have been put to rest and including the legal issues.
“We are glad that you have come and we assure you that you will receive all the attention from the party headquarters. And in accordance with rules, that is the constitution of our party,” Secondus stated.