South-west PDP back under one umbrella as Fayose recognises Makinde as leader

Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti, has finally recognised Seyi Makinde, Oyo state governor, as the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the south-west.

Fayose described Makinde as the leader of the south-west PDP at its ongoing congress, thereby ending the prolonged leadership tussle that has torn the party apart.

The two have been at loggerheads over who controls the soul of the party in the zone.

While some of the party members are loyal to Makinde, the only PDP governor in the south-west, others were rallying behind Fayose who once described his opponent as “baby governor.”

The situation was so bad that the two were supporting different aspirants for the chairmanship position hours to the congress.

The party’s efforts to reconcile them, however, paid off at the congress in Osogbo, Osun state capital, where Fayose apologised for the internal crisis that had torn apart the umbrella, which is the party’s symbol.

“The governor of Oyo state, Governor Seyi Makinde, my brother, my friend and by the grace of God, our leader,” he said.

“The issue at this congress is circumstantial, the question is who is our leader, Governor Seyi Makinde is our leader. Therefore, our supporters and lovers should not be putting a wedge between us.

“I and Seyi Makinde are one from the beginning. Distinguish leaders, I want to assure you that we will make exploits together and anywhere it goes, I will accept.

“In any family, where there is cause to vote, there will be a divide, but I assure you, wherever it goes, I will abide.

“No one offends me and if I have offended anybody, I apologise. I and Makinde were one since the beginning, politicking leads to this misunderstanding, but notwithstanding, you are our father.”