Mimiko, ex- ondo gov absent at PDP expansive meeting in state

…As party leaders seek genuine reconciliation
Former Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko, was on Monday absent at the first expansive meeting of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in the capital city of Akure.

The inaugural meeting is the first after the judgment of the Supreme Court which favors the Ahmed Markafi led faction to be held by the state caucus members and leaders of the party.

Mimiko had been silent since his party (PDP) lost in the last November 26, 2016 governorship poll in the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He has also refused to comment on the activities of the state including politics since he left power in February 2017.

Although, the ex governor seems to have also lost the grip of the party since he armed twisted some members to pick Mr. Eyitayo Jegede as the candidate of the PDP in the last gubernatorial election.

The former governor was also absent in the last edition of the National Executive Council (NEC) expansive meeting of the party held last week in Abuja after the verdict of the Supreme Court.

Sources in the party were unable to give clear reasons for the absence of the ex governor at the caucus meeting held at the party’s state secretariat on Monday which was fully attended by prominent stalwarts and chieftains.

But speaking, Clement Faboyede, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State told reporters after the meeting that the party was ready to form a strong opposition ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Mr. Faboyede explained that the purpose of the meeting was to ensure a “genuine discipline and reconciliation” among the members of the party after the judgment of the Supreme Court.

He said the leaders of the party were also working towards ensuring the proper repositioning of the party both from the units and wards to the state level.

According to him, the party leaders have extended an olive branch to some of the aggrieved members who left for other political parties to come back to the fold as the crisis was over.

“There is nothing we would gain from quarrelling, the umbrella is big enough to accommodate everybody.

“The PDP is a party that is ruled by the constitution than transition, so we are happy the crisis in the party is now over and settled.”

He said the judgement of the Supreme Court which favors the Ahmed Markafi led faction of the PDP showed that there is no victor nor vanquished, stressing that they will accommodate all members.

“I want to appeal to all of them that we don’t solve problem by creating another problem and they should have genuine mind of reconciliation and come back home.

“Not coming with a mind to further scatter the party because this will affect the party in facing future elections because Nigeria must be saved.”

He noted that the Peoples Democratic Party in the state was charting a way forward in preparation to conduct fresh congress to elect ward delegates starting from the grassroots before in moves to Abuja.

“We are preparing for ward congresses to elect our ward delegates on August 8 and from there we will elect our local government delegates on August 10.

“So, the party is back to the people as stated in our constitution and there is no godfatherism any longer and anywhere” Faboye added Daily Times reports that top members of the party who attended the meeting were: the Former Deputy Governor of the state, Lasisi Oluboyo, Federal Lawmaker representing Ilaje/Ese Odo Constituency Kolade Akinjo, the party’s South West Chairman, Eddy Olafeso.

Others included: the State Publicity Secretary, Ayo Fadaka, the party’s 2016 gubernatorial candidate, Eyitayo Jegede and his running mate, John Olamafo, Chief Olu Abi among other prominent members.

‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure