Two state chairmen emerged on Saturday at the parallel congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) conducted in Ado Ekiti , the state capital , by different groups loyal to a former governor of the state , Ayodele Fayose , and Senator Biodun Olujimi .
While a former member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Bisi Kolawole, emerged at the congress of the Fayose group held at Petim Hotel , a former House of Representatives member , Kehinde Odebunmi , was elected at the congress of the Olujimi group , which held at Lotus Hotel .
Preparatory to Saturday’s state congress for the election of the State Working Committee , the two groups , in view of the leadership crisis rocking the party , had conducted parallel congresses at the ward and local government levels .
Fayose said , “ This is where the party is . As a leader , you will know where the party is . Chief Segun Oni is here because this is where the party is . There is no crack in our party. ”
The former governor canvassed discipline in the party , saying , “We are facing an incumbent shortly in the governorship. To win, we need discipline. Please respect your leaders . We are prepared to support this new executive to achieve anything . ”
But Odebunmi , who spoke shortly after his election , disagreed with Fayose on which of the two groups was authentic , saying , “It is the majority that own the party , not Fayose . This is where we have the majority .”
He said , “Before you can hold a valid congress , the Independent National Electoral Commission must be there . INEC was not present at the ward and local government congresses conducted by Fayose . Fayose is free to grandstand , but the final arbiter is the court of law and it will adjudicate on this crisis and tell us which group is authentic .”
