PDP ELDERS PASS NO CONFIDENCE VOTE IN PARTY CHAIR

PDP elders pass no confidence vote in party chair
…Chieftain faults Daniel's aide
From FRANCIS AWOWOLE-BROWNE, Abuja
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Elders and founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area of Ogun State have passed a vote of no confidence in the chairman of the party in the local government, Alhaji Rasaki Arowolo.

The decision was taken at a meeting held last Thursday in Ijebu-Ode to review Arowolo's alleged suspension of nine of the 11 ward chairmen in the council.

The elders and founding members of the party, comprising members of the collegiate, ward chairmen and local government executive (exco) members, said Arowolo's action was tantamount to causing disaffection among loyal party members in the council.

The decision of the party chieftains was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the emergency meeting.

Party elders, such as Chief W. A. Odutola, Alhaji Bisi Quadri, Chief V. O. Ogunsanya, Alhaji M. O. Ogunbanjo and Chief Ibukun-Olu Ojosipe, signed the communiqué which reads in part: 'Members unanimously considered his leadership trait as highly immature and retrogressive culminating in disorganisation of party structures in all the wards as well as the local government area vis-à-vis illegal suspension of nine out of 11 ward chairmen and collegiate leaders from our great party, the PDP.

'This is contrary to the directive of the South-West National Vice-Chairman of our great party, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipupo, against the suspension of party members in the Nigerian Tribune of Monday, January 25, 2010.

'In view of the above, members unanimously passed a vote of no confidence in him and also recommended his removal as local government party chairman in order to enhance stability and progress of the party in the local government area.'

The elders said despite what they described as Arowolo's distraction of the ward chairmen, 'all of them (the ward chairmen) are in firm grip of their various wards and operational areas.'

In a related development, one of the signatories to the communiqué, Olu-Ojosipe, has faulted comments by one Niyi Osoba, a consultant to Governor Gbenga Daniel on labour matters, in which he accused him (Olu-Ojosipe) of inciting the people against the Ogun State government.

Osoba had condemned Olu-Ojosipe's plea to the people, especially members of his Omoilu Group, to be steadfast in the face of the alleged intimidation and harassment by the state government.

Replying, Olu-Ojosipe said Osoba's comments betrayed his lack of understanding of governance and democratic principles.

'Democracy is the plurality of opinions. It bestows the fundamental rights of individuals within the rights of the group.'

'It is obvious that while Omoilu is the assembly of the strong-willed courageous politicians, empowering the people and being their beacon of hope in these trying times; this pretentious sycophant is only busy playing the gramophone – his master's voice,' Olu-Ojosipe said.