APC Behind Ekiti PDP Crisis, Says Elders Forum

The gulf within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State widened on Wednesday as the Elders Forum and local council chairmen of the party in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, passed a vote of confidence on the embattled chairman of the party, Chief Idowu Faleye.
The All Progressives Congress in the state was also accused of orchestrating the suspension of Faleye by the Tunde Olatunde-led group, describing the latter’s action as barbaric and unconstitutional.
The Chairman of the Elders Forum, Clement Awoyelu, said Mr. Olatunde and his faction rejected pleas from the Forum to allow peace reign as he went ahead to suspend the chairman.
Mr. Owoyelu maintained that the State Working Committee lacked the constitutional powers to suspend a state Chairman, saying only the State Executive Committee could exercise such powers on the directives of the National Working Committee.
According to him, the elders had earlier held a meeting with the two warring factions, where Olatunde’s group was assured that all their grievances, which bordered on the emergence of Mr. Faleye as chairman, among other issues, would be resolved amicably.
“We view the actions of Tunde Olatunde and Tope Aluko, the State Secretary and their group as an affront to the party’s authority, very treacherous and barbaric, suggesting that they are being financed by the APC and other external forces purposely to destabilize our party”, he said.
Mr. Owoyelu also traced the recent eviction notice given to the party over its failure to pay its N1.5m rent to a change in the signatories to the party’s account.
He noted that Mr. Olatunde and his team forged the signatories on a cheque given to the landlord, which could not be honoured by the bank.
“The party will apply all necessary actions against them very soon because we want a united and disciplined party in Ekiti State”, he said.
“We have mandated Chief Idowu Faleye to call the meeting of the SEC to take necessary actions against the members of the factional group.
“We also affirm that the only Exco known to us and the numerous members of the PDP is Idowu Faleye-led Exco”.
Mr. Olatunde has however denied he was being sponsored by anyone outside the PDP, saying his group is only after equity and justice in the party.

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