Makinde, Fayose back different aspirants as PDP south-west congress kicks off

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) kicked off its zonal congress on Monday in Osogbo, Osun state capital, amid tight security.

According to NAN, there was a heavy security presence at the Women and Children Development Initiative Foundation (WOCDIF), the venue of the congress.

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Security Service (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were stationed at the entrance and around the venue.

Some of the security personnel were also stationed a few kilometers away from the venue of the congress.

A total of 42 aspirants were cleared by the PDP screening committee on Sunday to contest for the various positions in the zone.

The congress will be attended by 734 delegates across the six south-west states.

According to the list released by Austin Akobundu, the PDP national organising secretary, Oyo has 171 delegates, Osun has 130, Lagos 101, Ogun 112, Ondo 114, and Ekiti has 115 delegates.

Taofeek Arapaja, a former deputy governor of Oyo state, and Eddy Olafeso, the immediate zonal chairman of the party, are contesting for the chairmanship position.

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, is supporting Arapaja for the chairmanship position while Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti, is throwing his weight behind Olafeso.