The crisis in the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has worsened as members in Ife Federal Constituency have openly rejected the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, along with other top leaders of the party, accusing them of betrayal and anti-party activities.
In a communiqué released after a constituency meeting on Monday, party members passed a vote of no confidence on Deputy Governor Adewusi; former PDP National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo; and Ife East PDP Chairman, Hon. Olasunkanmi Makinde, popularly called Benco.
The meeting, held at the residence of the Osun East Senatorial Leader, alleged that the three leaders have been working against the interest of the PDP by maintaining close ties with Hon. Bimbo Ajilesoro, the House of Representatives member who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
We are disappointed by the continued closeness of Prof. Wale Oladipo, Deputy Governor Prince Kola Adewusi, and the Ife East PDP Chairman, Hon. Olasunkanmi Makinde (Benco), with Hon. Bimbo Ajilesoro, who has since defected from the party,” the communiqué read.
Members also condemned the alleged victimization of loyal PDP stakeholders in Ife East, such as Lawrence Omotosho, Adeyinka Adeniji (a.k.a Gbogbo Ebe), and Yakubu Olawusi, who opposed Ajilesoro’s defection. These loyalists were reportedly removed from both government and party positions. Members further accused the trio of suspending PDP meetings in Ife East Local Government to deliberately weaken the party’s structure in the area.
Ajilesoro’s defection was described as a betrayal of the mandate given to him by the people of Ifeland, while the backing he allegedly continues to enjoy from Adewusi, Oladipo, and Makinde was branded as outright sabotage of the PDP.
The crisis deepened as Makinde was accused of mobilizing thugs and hoodlums, allegedly on the instruction of Prof. Oladipo, to disrupt the constituency meeting, which was initially scheduled to take place at the deputy governor’s residence.
We strongly condemn the invitation of thugs and hoodlums to the Ife Federal Constituency meeting by Hon. Olasunkanmi Makinde (Benco), allegedly acting on the orders of Prof. Wale Oladipo,” the communiqué stated.
Adding to the heat, members recalled that Deputy Governor Adewusi had earlier been impeached and lost re-election in the past, warning that his present conduct could once again lead him to face a fresh impeachment process.
At the end of the meeting, members warned that the continued activities of Adewusi, Oladipo, and Makinde pose a serious threat to the survival of the PDP in Ifeland.
In view of the above, which amount to anti-party activities and pose grave danger to the success of the PDP in Ifeland, the meeting hereby resolves as follows: A vote of no confidence is passed on Prof. Wale Oladipo, Deputy Governor Prince Kola Adewusi, and the PDP Chairman of Ife East Local Government, Hon. Olasunkanmi Makinde (Benco),” the communiqué concluded.
