Coup In South West PDP As Congress Removes National Vice Chairman

Fresh leadership crisis hit the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday as its caretaker Chairman in the South-west zone, Chief Ishola Filani, protested the congress of the party where new executives to run the affairs of PDP in the zone were put in place.

Filani, who made a brief appearance at the venue of the congress held at the Apex Multipurpose Hall, Agodi in Ibadan, presented his protest letter to the chairman of the congress committee.

He also copied same letter to the National Chairman of the party; the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Chief of Staff to Mr. President, Governor Segun Mimiko, Governor-elect of Ekiti state, Mr. Ayo Fayose and the party’s Board of Trustees in the zone in care of Chief Olabode George.

Addressing reporters at the Check Inn Hotel, Agodi, Filani, who read his protest letter, said he was the valid candidate contesting for the office of the party’s national vice-chairman of the zone until Thursday, 9th October.
As at the time of filing this report, the election was still on and save for the inclusion of Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, the incumbent Chairman of Ekiti state chapter of the party, who was tipped to succeed Filani who also hails from Ekiti state as the new Zonal National Vice Chairman, virtually all others who had been working with Filani were returned unopposed.

The venue of the congress was fortified with security agents just as top politicians in the zone were seen discussing in groups and making last minutes consultations on the development.

They included serving Ministers from the zone like Jelili Adesiyan (Police Affairs), Jumoke Akinjide (FCT), Senator Musiliu Obanikoro (Defence), the incumbent Deputy Senate Whip, Hosea Ayoola Agboola, Ex-Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo state, former Senate leader, Teslim Folarin, Seyi Makinde, Buruji Kashamu, Senator Iyiola Omisore, among others.