Ondo PDP in Disarray Over Gubernatorial Campaign Council Appointments

The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was plunged into turmoil on Monday following a dispute over the formation of the campaign council for the upcoming governorship election.

The conflict arose when the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Agboola Ajayi, allegedly bypassed the party leadership in appointing key members to the campaign council. Ajayi, through his spokesperson Samuel Ogunmusi, announced that Eddy Olafeso, the former National Vice Chairman (South West) of the PDP, would chair the Ajayi Campaign Council. Additional appointments included Clement Faboyede as Director General, John Ola-Mafo as Director General (Special Duties), and Deji Aseniserare as Secretary.

The announcement provoked a strong reaction from the party’s leadership. PDP Publicity Secretary Kennedy Peretei condemned the unilateral decision, describing it as both embarrassing and a violation of the party’s constitution.

“The announcement by one Samuel Ogunmusi appointing persons to coordinate the campaigns of H.E. Agboola Ajayi for the November election is not only embarrassing but a violation of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended),” Peretei stated. He cited specific articles of the constitution, including Articles 46(1) and 40(1)(a)(b) and (c), which he said do not allow such appointments to be made by individuals not formally recognized by the party.

Peretei further declared that the purported appointments were null and void. He emphasized that the PDP is a well-organized party that adheres to the rule of law, and assured that the official appointments for the campaign council would be announced in due course.

As the election date approaches, this internal conflict highlights the challenges facing the PDP in presenting a united front against its opponents.