PDP Network deepens peace initiatives, names officials

By Lawrence Olaoye

Few weeks after its formation, new political group named “the Network”, within the South West Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified its reconciliation and peace moves within the party even as it named its officials and committees.

The group whose emergence has shaken the South West chapter of the party to its foundation is reported to be advancing new leadership style and an intellectually based strategies in the push of the PDP to recapture South West in the 2014 and 2015 elections.

In a bid to entrench its emerging presence in South West politics, the group has named the deputy whip of the Senate ,Senator Hosea Agboola as its chairman and former Defence Minister, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode as its Deputy Chairman.

The group which had vowed to champion the political and economic interests of the Yorubas in Nigeria within the political framework of the ruling PDP also has Hon Wole Oke from Osun state as its Secretary.

Other officials of the group include Chief Olusola Oke (Chairman Committee on Political Strategy/Planning); Senator Obanikoro (Chairman Committee on Contact and Mobilisation); Engr Jide Adeniyi (Chairman Committee on Finance); Tolani Animashaun (Media and Publicity); and Yusuff Kunle (Secretariat/Protocol).

Findings also revealed that membership of the network spread across the region to include Senator Ayo Arise, Mrs Biodun Olujimi, Chef Segun Ilori (Ekiti State); Senator Obanikoro, Dr Ade Dosumu, Tolani Animashaun, Hon Farihu Arebi (Lagos State); and Salimon Badiru, Mr Segun Awolowo and Hon Kayode Amusan (Ogun State).

Others are Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, Chief Olusola Oke, Dr Eddy Olafeso and Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye (Ondo State); Engr. Jide Adeniji, Hon Wole Oke, Barr. Olasoji Efuntayo (Osun State); Senator Ayoola Hosea Agboola, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, Mrs Olanrewaju Otiti and Yusuff Kunle (Oyo State).

It was learnt that the group, which reportedly has the full backing of the Presidency, has Chief Olabode George as its patron and many top government and political leaders from the zone as ex- officio members.

The group had earlier met former President Olusegun Obasanjo while it is scheduled to meet other top leaders of the party in the next few days. The presence of the group was reportedly felt at the meeting of South West PDP leaders with Vice President Namadi Sambo last week.

A member of the group who spoke under condition of anonymity said the Network was formed to reconcile South West PDP,provide intellectual back up for the party,advance South West interest at the national level and create similar linkages with similar groups across the other five geo- political zones.

“ We are on the move already . We are meeting the leaders and we will soon address the public on our goals . The point to note however is that we stand for the well being of the South West within the framework of the PDP”, the official said.