The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chapter in Osun state has begun reconciliation talks in the party shortly after securing victory at the recently concluded governorship election.
The New Diplomat learnt that the camp of Osun State governor-elect, Ademola Adeleke, began moves to reconcile with some aggrieved members of the party including the camp loyal to Prince Dotun Babayemi.
It was gathered that Adeleke is keen on having a unified party before his administration begins on November 27.
It would be recalled that during the primary election of PDP in Osun, two governorship candidates emerged.
While the primary which was held at the Osogbo City Stadium, under the supervision of Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, produced Adeleke, Babayemi was declared the winner of another primary held at the Children and Women Development Centre, Osogbo.
Subsequently, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) went on to recognise Adeleke as the official candidate of the PDP.
Babayemi then headed for the Federal High Court in Osogbo seeking to be declared the valid governorship candidate of the PDP.
But the court in a judgment by Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel affirmed Adeleke as the validly elected governorship candidate of the Osun State PDP.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, Babayemi filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, Akure, challenging the judgment of the lower court and seeking to be declared as the PDP governorship candidate.
The case is still before the court of appeal, awaiting judgment.
Following victory, it was gathered that the camp of Adeleke is worried over a suit filed by his rival, Babayemi.
Members of Adeleke’s camp who spoke with members of the press admitted that the suit constituted danger to the PDP’s victory at the Osun State governorship election on Saturday, adding that the party had begun reconciliation with Babayemi.
It was gathered that Adeleke’s camp was concerned that external forces could exploit the case to truncate the party’s victory.
“My take is that any member of our party that is aggrieved is constituting some kind of danger, not to mention court cases.
“Grievance of major gladiators is enough as admittance of danger. I am aware that our leaders are not sleeping over it. They are still talking to Prince Dotun Babayemi and others in the party, not minding our victory at the polls. We are always better together. We are not taking anyone for granted.
“We believe everyone should come on board now so we can have a seamless administration; so that we can deliver our promises to the good people of Osun State. You know we cannot do that on the platform of rancourous relationship as a political party,” the member was quoted as saying.
Another party chieftain expressed confidence that the reconciliation talks will yield positive results.
The chieftain said, “Dotun Babayemi is a prince and I’m sure that the blue blood in him will speak to his veins. We need a bit of fresh air which the good people of Osun State have put in place via the verdict during the gubernatorial election.
“We are still trying to talk to him and manage the situation. Differences cannot help anyone. We have seen the worst of what internal rancour can do to a political party. We won’t do anything that will leave us open to some other forces trying to creep in.”
Also, the Osun acting PDP Chairman, Akindele, while speaking with the press expressed optimism that the case would be withdrawn and the matter resolved amicably.
“In the first place, it is a mere academic exercise but since he is a member of our party and he is aggrieved, we have been meeting to find a political solution to it. We are optimistic that it will be resolved amicably and he will withdraw the case before Wednesday,” Akindele assured.
