Ekiti PDP faces fresh crisis as SWC members tackle chairman

The Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is facing a fresh crisis ahead of the state congresses.

This is as some members of the State Working Committee, SWC, accused the State Chairman, Chief Agboola Alaba, of failing to carry the executives along in decision making.

They claimed that Alaba was running the party like his personal fiefdom without recourse to other executive members.

A joint statement by members of the SWC after an emergency meeting expressed worry over Alaba’s action on issues relating with the coming congress, adding that decisions not discussed or agreed upon by the SWC members were being championed.

The statement was signed by Lanre Omolase (Deputy Chairman), Mrs. Funmilayo Ogun Secretary), Aare Amerijoye (Youth Leader), Abeni Olayinka (Organizing Secretary), Sunday Olowolafe (Legal Adviser), Funsho Afolayan (Northern senatorial chairman), Chief Folashade Akintade (Auditor), Chief Paul Oluwole (Treasurer), Gani Bakare (Fin. Secretary) and Ojo Gold (Central senatorial chairman).

They argued that Agboola has failed to unite the party for success, saying his leadership has not effectively advanced the party’s aims and objective but rather caused disarray within the party ranks.

The statement reads: “It is clear that the chairman has continuously violated the ethical standards expected of SWC members, and has flagrantly flouted party rules. The incorrect notion that he is the sole administrator of the party, without consulting the SWC must be corrected without further delay.

“The chairman may need to engage in extensive consultation, particularly by tapping into the knowledge and experience of the Party Working Committees at the National and Zonal levels, in order to know how to make informed decisions in collaboration with the members of the State Working Committee.

“As members dedicated to the progress and success of the PDP in Ekiti State, we urge him to adjust his leadership style to meet the trust and expectations of our members. Therefore, we have collectively agreed to issue this warning to the chairman for him to be mindful of the consequences of his actions.”

But Agboola denied allegations of him taking unilateral decisions on behalf of the party and promoting factions.

He explained that the party constitution and guidelines did not provide for one man to run the affairs of the party, saying that the contests and agitations were expected in a political party especially ahead of the scheduled congresses.