....Says PDP Will Not Allow Party Name Used to Defend Personal Political Interests
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ado-Ekiti Local Government, Hon. Ojo Akibon, has warned Hon. Femi Odeyemi and Hon. Makanjuola Temitope against continuing to present themselves as the Chairman and Secretary of the party in the local government.
Akibon said the PDP would not allow individuals who, according to him, do not constitute the recognised leadership of the party in Ado-Ekiti Local Government to continue issuing statements in the name of the party.
He said the recognised leadership of the Ado-Ekiti Local Government PDP comprises himself as Chairman and Hon. Dada Anthony as Secretary.
Akibon was reacting to a recent statement attributed to Odeyemi and Temitope in which they purportedly spoke as Ado-Ekiti PDP leaders while defending the former Deputy Governorship candidate of the party, Deji Ogunsakin, against allegations concerning campaign funds.
The PDP chairman said the issue had become necessary to address because the continued use of the party's name and offices by people whose authority is disputed could create confusion among party members and the public.
“We want to make it absolutely clear that Hon. Ojo Akibon is the Chairman of the PDP in Ado-Ekiti Local Government, while Hon. Dada Anthony is the Secretary.
“Nobody should continue to parade himself as the Chairman or Secretary of Ado-Ekiti Local Government PDP when he does not occupy those positions within the recognised party structure.
“The PDP is an institution. Its name, offices and identity cannot be appropriated by individuals for personal political interests.”
Akibon said the party would not allow its platform to be used as a shield for individuals facing questions over their political conduct or responsibilities.
He said the recent controversy surrounding campaign funds was a matter that should be addressed by the individuals directly involved and should not be presented as an official position of the Ado-Ekiti PDP without the authority of the recognised leadership.
Akibon, while speaking on the need to protect the integrity of the party, also acknowledged Anifowose’s longstanding contribution to the PDP, describing him as a “refined gentleman politician” who had remained loyal and committed to the party for almost two decades.
He said Anifowose had consistently supported the party at both the local government and state levels, noting that his political involvement went beyond Ado-Ekiti.
“If anyone has integrity questions to address, he should address them himself. He does not need to hide behind people who are presenting themselves as PDP leaders.
“The authentic leadership of the party is capable of speaking for itself and defending the interests of its members.”
Akibon also cautioned Odeyemi and Temitope against further issuing statements using the titles of Chairman and Secretary of the Ado-Ekiti PDP.
He said the party would take appropriate steps if the practice continued.
“We are calling them to order. They should stop parading themselves as Chairman and Secretary of Ado-Ekiti Local Government PDP.
“If they continue to use the name and offices of the PDP without the authority to do so, the party will take the appropriate legal steps to protect its name, structure and identity.
“We will not sit down and allow confusion to be created in the name of the PDP.”
Akibon said the party leadership remained committed to unity, discipline and accountability among its members.
He added that political disagreements should not be allowed to degenerate into the misuse of party structures or the issuance of statements purportedly on behalf of the PDP without proper authorisation.
The chairman also called on PDP members in Ado-Ekiti and the general public to disregard statements issued by individuals who were not authorised to speak for the recognised local government party leadership.
He said the party would continue to communicate officially through its recognised leadership and would not allow its identity to be compromised.
Akibon urged party members to remain calm, saying the leadership would continue to protect the integrity of the PDP and ensure that its structures were respected.⁷
He said the party’s attention remained focused on rebuilding its grassroots organisation and strengthening unity among genuine members across the 13 wards of Ado-Ekiti Local Government.
Akibon gave Odeyemi and Temitope 48 hours to retract and withdraw any statement issued or authorised by them in which they presented themselves as Chairman and Secretary of the Ado-Ekiti Local Government PDP, warning that failure to comply would lead to legal action.
“We are giving them 48 hours to retract those statements and stop parading themselves as Chairman and Secretary of the Ado-Ekiti PDP. Failure to do so, we will take appropriate legal steps to protect the name, structure and identity of the party,” Akibon warned.
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