Crisis Hits Ekiti PDP Ahead of LG Polls

Crisis is now brewing in the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as party members have been expressing discordant tunes whether to participate or not in the December 7 local government elections in the state.

While the State Working Committee headed by its State Chairman, Barr. Gboyega Oguntuase, insisted that the party would participate, a section of the party led by a chieftain of the party in Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area of the state, Hon. Yinka Olomofe, said the party would boycott the elections.

Olomofe, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti, announced the resolve of the party to boycott the polls in Ado-Ekiti council, saying the party members are only preparing for the 2022 governorship elections.

Countering the position after a meeting of the members of the State Executive Committee comprising the State Working Committee and the Local Government Party Chairmen on Friday, PDP said the 16 local government areas shall participate in the December 7 local government elections.

PDP, in a statement by its chairmen in 14 local government areas of the state, said: “The purported announcements of non-participation by the acting party Chairmen of Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area, Mr. Yinka Olomofe was unauthorised and of no consequence to the participation of PDP in the elections.

“Furthermore, only the State Working Committee in collaboration with the Local Government Party Chairmen can make such announcement.

“That the State Executive Committee and the Local Government Party Chairmen of PDP in Ekiti State consequently and hereby declare that all announcement by individuals and group purporting nonparticipation of PDP in Ekiti State Local Government Elections is declared illegal and of no effect.

“Therefore, all candidates of the PDP in all the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State are by this announcement mandated to continue their campaigns and all other due process as outlined by Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC).