Ondo State Pdp Defies National Directive

In a bold move that defies the directives of its national body, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state has upheld the suspension of its state chairman, Fatai Adams, and appointed Tola Alabere as the acting state chairman.

The State Working Committee (SWC) of the PDP had initially approved the suspension of Adams, citing his alleged involvement in anti-party activities and actions likely to tarnish the party's reputation.

Contrary to the stance of the national body, the Ondo PDP, addressing journalists on Thursday, declared the suspension valid, pointing out that nine out of eleven SWC members had signed the suspension letter, reflecting a lack of confidence in Adams' leadership.

The national publicity secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, had previously declared the suspension null and void, asserting that the state committee lacked the authority to suspend the chairman without consulting the national body.

Kennedy Peretei, the state publicity secretary, emphasized that the party's constitution mandates that there should be no vacuum in the administration of the party. He announced, "So, in view of this, the Vice Chairman is now the acting Chairman of the party. What we are saying now is that there is no crisis in PDP; we have the constitution that we follow, and we have complied with the constitution."

Peretei went on to state that the party would not permit any compromise of its chances in the upcoming primary election in Akoko North East and West of the state. He also underscored their determination to prevent any sabotage of their prospects in the November 16, 2024 governorship election in the state.

"The National Working Committee and other executive bodies, both at the state and local levels of the party, what we did is strictly in line with our constitution. What we have done is in accordance with our constitution. So we are all working in the same direction," Peretei affirmed. The development highlights the internal dynamics and constitutional interpretations within the PDP in Ondo state.