S’West PDP Congress: Makinde, Fayose Know Fate Today Amid Doomsday Predictions

• Doyin Okupe Predicts Outcome ‘ll Further Tear Party Apart In S’West 

Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde and former Ekiti State governor, Peter Fayose will on Monday, 12 April know their fate on who controls the South West leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) amid predictions that high-handedness by factions is likely to doom the process in Osogbo, Osun State capital.

The battle for the PDP’s South West Chairmanship has been a tussle between a former Ondo State Information commissioner, Eddy Olafeso, and a former Oyo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Taofeek Arapaja.

Hon. Arapaja is believed to be enjoying the support of the Gov Seyi Makinde, while Mr. Eddy Olafeso is being supported by former Ekiti State Governor, Fayose.

The duo being supported by two big wigs have been the basis for the leadership tussle in the South West PDP.

It would be recalled that the National leadership of the PDP had on several occasions moved the venue of its Zonal congress in a bid to resolve the crisis between the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde and former Ekiti State governor, Fayose.

However, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP on Thursday chose Osogbo, Osun State capital as the venue for its South-west Zonal Congress as against its initial venue of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The party statement reads, “the South West Congress is scheduled for Monday, April 12, 2021

“Party assures of working with all stakeholders to achieve a seamless and unifying congress.”

As tension rises on who becomes the next Chairman, Gov Makinde who spoke in Ogbomoso on Saturday has reaffirmed his support for Mr. Arapaja.

Makinde who was a guest at the installation of Segun Ogunwuyi, as Otunba Mayeloye of Ijeru, a Director-General, of Oyo State Investment and Public and Private Partnership Agency (OYSIPA) said Mr. Arapaja possesses the experience needed to move the PDP forward.

Speaking further, the governor recalled how Arapaja had served as deputy governor in Oyo and as a former member of the House of Representatives to the best of his knowledge.

His statement reads, “Arapaja will emerge the chairman”, Makinde said.

“You would have been having a premonition about what will happen on Monday (in Osogbo); the Mayeloye title will really be made manifest in Arapaja as he will emerge the chairman”.

Meanwhile, a former aide of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, has said the outcome of the zonal congress of the PDP in the South-West will be negative and may affect the future of the party in the zone.

Okupe, in a series of tweets, also predicted that there’ll be no ‘real winners’ in the zonal congress.

“The final Straw. The die is cast and barring a Divine intervention, an amicable settlement between Governor Makinde and former governor Fayose, is an impossibility. Several attempts have been made by leaders and elders at the zonal level.

“Efforts were also made directly by the national secretariat and indirectly by the indefatigable Bukola Saraki’s reconciliation committee. All to know avail. This in itself is a strange phenomenon.

“The doctrine I learnt in my 40yrs sojourn in politics is that … no matter the problem between two or more groups, as long as the problem is strictly political, it is resolvable through consultation, negotiation and compromise.

“The working tools of an astute politician are: oratory, ability to communicate and convince others effectively, negotiating skill, readiness to arrive at a compromise, wisdom, tact, flexibility, patience and a benevolent spirit. NOT confrontation and rigidity or obduracy.

“Strangely in Yoruba land, even issues of infidelity and adultery, which are very touchy and extremely trying, are discussed and settled between husbands, wives and offending partners!!!

“Governor Seyi Makinde and Fayose are contending the leadership of the party in the southwest. A position which neither of them is qualified to hold, but for aberrant development in our polity.

“It was former President Obasanjo, who because he did not want his administration to be bogged down with petty issues from the states, empowered the state governors to be leaders of the party in their respective states and zones.

“This was a privilege enjoyed by former governor Fayose to the fullest in his time. And until the proviso is annulled Governor Makinde ought to have the honour of being the official leader of the party in the SW currently. This “proviso” though an obvious absurdity, still stands.

“I call it an absurdity because it will be unthinkable for example, for a Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos to say he is leader of APC in Lagos, official or unofficial. But let’s rest this argument here.

“As for governor Makinde, his attempts to destabilise establish state party structures in order to establish his control and leadership, is wrong and this has created unnecessary enemies for him within the zone even among those who were not opposed to his leadership.

“In tomorrow’s congress, there will be no real winners. The outcome of tomorrow’s congress will cause a permanent schism in the SW PDP which may seriously affect the future of the party adversely in the zone in the nearest future.

“We as a people always refuse to learn from history. The dichotomy and lack of consensus in Yoruba land today can be traced to the sowing of the seed of discord during the Awolowo/Akintola conflict.

“But those who fail to learn from history will themselves become lessons in history. And as the saying goes “those who the gods must destroy, will firstly be made mad.” THOSE WHO HAVE EARS LET THEM HEAR.” he submitted.