The South West Zone of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party is leaving no stone unturned towards a genuine reconciliation of its members ahead of the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti and Osun states as well as the 2015 general elections.
The elders of the party have thus summoned a stakeholders meeting of prominent members of the party which will hold today at the Lugard Avenue of its former Deputy National Vice Chairman, Olabode George.
According to Daily Independent findings, the meeting which was described as ‘very strategic’ by a chieftain of the party will also address the issue of the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan by the South West PDP last week. It was further learnt that PDP members who are loyal to former president Olusegun Obasanjo have distanced themselves from the endorsement, and the meeting will provide an avenue for the party elders to cajole them into joining the pro- Jonathan fold.
Among chieftains of the party expected at the meeting include Chief Bode George, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, Otunba Johnson Fasawe, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Ayo Fayose, Olusegun Agagu, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Chief Alao Akala and several other prominent Yoruba sons in the PDP.
According to the chieftain, stakeholders of the party will discuss the series of meetings held with President Jonathan a fortnight ago. He also said the meeting will discuss how to reposition the South West executive council of the party ahead of the governorship election in Osun and Ekiti states in 2014.
He also said the meeting will seek to address the internal strife and division within the South West caucus of the party which has led to prominent stakeholders singing discordant tunes on issues at the state and federal levels.
“As a matter of fact, the meeting was called to review all the meetings held with the president. All the party stakeholders, including state chairmen of the PDP, met at the Aso Rock villa with the president about a fortnight ago. At that meeting a lot of things were conceded to us by Mr. President. So, what we are doing tomorrow is a review of the meetings, with particular reference to discuss the modalities for the party’s national convention. The meeting will also discuss how to reshape the South West zonal exco for electoral success in the days ahead”.
On why former National Secretary of the PDP, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, is invited for the meeting, the chieftain said it is possible the elders of the party will seek to woo him and other loyalists of former President Obasanjo to support the endorsement of President Jonathan’s re-election bid.
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