Ekiti PDP Faction Adopts Governor Makinde as Party’s Southwest Leader

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State loyal to Senator Biodun Olujimi has reaffirmed Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as the party’s leader in the Southwest.

The faction made its position known in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti East Local Government Area, during an empowerment programme sponsored by Olujimi for constituents in Ekiti South Senatorial District.

Items distributed at the event included deep freezers, sewing machines, motorcycles, laptops, solar panels, drying machines, tricycles and cash support.

The factional state chairman of the PDP, Kehinde Odebunmi, was among party leaders present at the programme.

The group also dismissed as an “empty threat” reports that former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose had warned Makinde against visiting Ekiti State.

Olujimi said Makinde remained the recognised leader of the PDP in the Southwest and should be free to visit Ekiti whenever necessary.

“I thank all of you for adopting Governor Makinde as the leader of the party in the Southwest,” she said.

She argued that the arrangement was consistent with the party’s previous practice when Fayose was the only PDP governor in the region.

Olujimi acknowledged Fayose as one of the party’s leaders in the Southwest but rejected the suggestion that he was the sole leader of the zone.

She said Makinde had also been adopted by the PDP National Assembly caucus from the Southwest.

According to Olujimi, Makinde had called for reconciliation of the crisis within the Ekiti PDP before the conduct of congresses, arguing that a divided party would struggle to win future elections.

She described the Oyo governor as experienced, knowledgeable and capable of helping to resolve the disagreements within the party.

Olujimi also said the empowerment programme was designed to provide constituents with tools that could improve their livelihoods and allow them to benefit from democratic representation.

The declaration further highlighted the leadership struggle within the Ekiti PDP, particularly between the factions associated with Olujimi and Fayose.