By Musa Baba Adamu
Right to Left: S. O. Asebiomi, PDP Party Chairman, Chief Sanya Atofarati, South West PRO, Chief Femi Tijani, Senatorial Chairman and Sunday Olowifela.
Members of the top echelon of the Peoples Democratic Party’s leadership in Ekiti State, on Sunday, said on no account would they betray the presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential race.
The PDP leaders from Ekiti South Senatorial District, comprising six local governments, also declared total support to the reelection bid of the senator representing Ekiti South, Biodun Olujimi, and other party candidates from the zone.
The leaders warned some loyalists of former Governor Ayodele Fayose allegedly embarking on anti-party activities to refrain or face disciplinary action.
This stance came barely one week after some dye-in-the-wool loyalists of the former governor, who is PDP leader in Ekiti, endorsed the APC senatorial candidate in Ekiti South, Hon. Yemi Adaramodu for 2023.
The PDP Ekiti South senatorial district leaders made their position known, in a communique signed by the party’s chairman in the district, Chief Femi Tijani, after a meeting attended by 40 party bigwigs across the six council areas in the axis.
The communique, read by the PDP State Legal Adviser, Barr. Sunday Olowolafe said they decided to adopt Atiku, Olujimi and other House of Representatives and State House of Assembly candidates in the district to prove their loyalty to PDP.
The communique reads: “We remain resolute in our resolve to collectively work to ensure victory of our presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa in the February 25, 2023, presidential election.
“That members of the PDP in the South Senatorial District of Ekiti State remain committed and resolute to the People’s oriented ideology of our great party, PDP.
“We reiterate our resolve to collectively and assiduously work together to ensure the victory of all candidates in the forthcoming general elections slated for 25th February 2023”.
The leaders warned those stoking the fire of discord in the PDP, by flaunting anti-Olujimi cards and threatening to work against her interest in the Senatorial contest, to be wary of their actions.
It added further: “The outstanding performance of distinguished Senator Olujimi in our great party, more particularly in the Ekiti South Senatorial District, has further earned PDP confidence of securing more votes and winning the next general elections in Ekiti State.
“That PDP members in Ekiti South Senatorial District and the general public should disregard the report of some people parading themselves as anti -Olujimi and to other candidates of PDP in Ekiti South Senatorial District against the interest of our great party.
“Hence we state categorically and unequivocally that those people causing confusion should have a rethink in the interest of PDP.”
The statement further reads: “Sequel to this ugly development, we, the executives of PDP in the South Senatorial District wish to advise individuals violating the extant provisions of Section 58 [1](a) to (x) of the PDP Constitution(as amended), to desist from acts and actions that can impede the progress of our great party to avoid disciplinary action as provided by the party’s constitution.
“That we are voting Senator Biodun Olujimi as our party’s senatorial candidate and all other candidates of the PDP in Ekiti South Senatorial District.”
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