Posted by From Tunde Sanni in Ibadan on
As the suspension order slammed on Senator Yinka Omilani, the National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to generate ill feelings within the rank of the party in the South West...
As the suspension order slammed on Senator Yinka Omilani, the National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to generate ill feelings within the rank of the party in the South West , the five PDP governors in the zone yesterday waded into the controversial sack.
The governors who met in Lagos last night, however tried to downplay saying there was no crisis within the zonal chapter of the party.
This came even as Omilani's Osun home state chapter of the party vowed to resist his suspension.
The five governors who met for three and half hours at the Osborne Ikoyi Lagos residence of Governor Olusegun Agagu, of Ondo State, were those of Osun Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Ekiti, Mr. Ayodele Fayose; Ogun, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Oyo Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala. Omilani, was also at the meeting.
At the end of the meeting, Agagu, who spoke briefly said there was no crisis within the party, adding 'It is a family meeting and I can tell you that there is no crisis within our party."
The party in the South West zone at an extra ordinary meeting of the zonal executive committee in Ibadan last Thursday slammed a suspension on the party chieftain from office for his refusal to respond to undisclosed allegations against him.
The zonal youth leader of the party Mr. Dare Adeleke who briefed newsmen at the end of the meeting was however evasive on the offences of the national vice chairman that warranted the suspension order.
Adeleke only stated after persistent questions that the suspension offences have been communicated to the embattled party chieftain and since he has refused to respond to the offences, the zone had no alternative than to wield the big stick.
Signs however emerged according to THISDAY checks that Osun state, the home of the suspended party chief at the weekend that the suspension of their representative at the higher echelon of the party may be contested.
Chief Ebenezer Babatope who volunteered to speak on behalf of the party in the state protested that the suspension of Omilani ran contrary to the dictates of the constitution of the party.
Aside he faulted the conveners of the emergency meeting stating that their position to convene an emergency meeting for the zone was not in the party law book.
The former minister stated that the state would not have anything to do with the suspension, as the state would still stick to Omilani on the national executive committee of the party.
Adeleke who announced the suspension of Omilani however sounded that the suspension of the zonal boss from office may be converted to his removal as he said that the position which was conceded to Osun State would still be left as initially agreed, maintaining that Osun state would still be allowed to present a replacement to the suspended party chieftain.
THISDAY checks however revealed that Omilani troubles with the party might not be unconnected with his fledging personality clash with the Deputy Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George.
Adeleke tactically confirmed the personality clash while fielding questions from newsmen as he said that there was a clash between the duo of George and Omilani but said that the problem was being addressed like brothers.
He stated that the suspended national officer would remain suspended pending the meeting of the South West governors on the platform of the party at a date he did not reveal.
He however denied insinuations that the action was exposing the party as a party in crisis, maintaining that the action was another attempt at repositioning the party for greater things.
The zonal leader confirmed that all the zonal officials of the party except the chairmen of Ogun and Ondo who were represented were not at the meeting.
Adeleke told the press that the issues raised at the meeting was called to discuss on issues, which centered on politics
The zonal secretary of the party who was absent at the meeting, Mr. Okanlawon Soboyede has been picked to act in the capacity of the zonal chairman pending the ratification or otherwise of the pronouncement by the governors of the party from the South West.
On the acclaimed repositioning, the zonal youth leader relied on Article 14 of the party constitution, which he said empowered the zonal executives to carry out the suspension, and denied any external influence from any personality in the matter.
In a swift reaction, Omilani, through his Political Adviser, Mr. Kole Abbe in a telephone conversation with THISDAY in Ibadan denounced the suspension and urged party loyalists to disregard the announcement.
According to him, the announcement was made by elements that were not recognised by the party constitution and assured that the party in the zone was intact under his leadership.
He said, there is a political instability in the country and people are trying to bring those things that are strange to the most united party in the country, the PDP.
"As far as we are concerned, the suspension is not only illegal it is also alien to the rules of the party as the characters who announced the purported suspension are unknown to the party constitution."