A fresh wave of tension is brewing within the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the demand by the Ondo South Senatorial District for the state chairmanship position.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this development comes amid mounting challenges for the PDP in the state, including a recent string of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
At a stakeholder meeting held on Monday in Okitipupa, involving no fewer than 120 party leaders from the South Senatorial District, a unanimous resolution was reached: the next state PDP chairman must come from the South. Stakeholders argue that the region has been historically sidelined in the leadership of the party.
According to them, since the party’s establishment 27 years ago, the North and Central districts have held the chairmanship for 13 and 12 years, respectively, while the South has only produced a chairman for a single year.
Prominent PDP figures at the meeting insisted that it is now the South’s rightful turn to lead, especially given their consistent record of delivering the highest number of votes for the party during elections in the state.
They also cautioned the party’s Elders’ Committee to avoid overstepping its constitutional advisory role by attempting to influence the zoning process, which, they stressed, falls under the jurisdiction of the State Working Committee (SWC).
Elder Amos Fadope, Chairman of the PDP in Ondo South, who convened the meeting, expressed concern over emerging plans to zone the position to the North once again.
“The North already holds the highest-ranking political office in the state’s PDP structure. It is only fair that the chairmanship comes to the South. We are not asking for too much,” Fadope said.
Supporting the call for equity, Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, a former representative of Ondo South in the National Assembly, accused some leaders from the North and Central districts of plotting to sideline the South once again.
“Ondo South consistently delivers the most votes for PDP in this state. The marginalisation must end. This is our time, and we are determined to claim it,” Tofowomo stated.
Former acting PDP state chairman, Tola Alabere, echoed similar sentiments, warning the elders’ committee to stay within its advisory boundaries.
“The chairmanship must come to the South. It is not negotiable. We are not willing to compromise on this issue,” Alabere declared.
Chief Oyedele Ibini, a former state secretary of the party, added that the demand for fairness and inclusion should not be ignored, warning that further marginalisation could divide the party.
“We stand firmly for justice, equity, and unity. This is a call that must be respected for the sake of party cohesion,” he said.
Mrs. Christiana Ebiseniju, another prominent voice from the South, summed up the sentiment at the gathering: “We speak with one voice. The chairmanship belongs to Ondo South this time, and that decision is final.”
As preparations intensify for internal party elections, the growing agitation highlights the internal cracks the PDP must address to regain its footing in Ondo State ahead of future electoral contests.
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