In a swift and decisive move, the State Working Committee (SWC) of the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has ratified Tola Alabere as the acting state chairman. This appointment comes in the wake of the purported suspension of Fatai Adams as chairman, signaling a significant development in the ongoing leadership turmoil within the party.
The tumultuous events unfolded during an emergency meeting at the party’s secretariat in Akure, the state capital, where Alabere, previously serving as the party’s deputy chairman, assumed the pivotal role of acting chairman. The SWC, comprising key leaders of the party, made the decision after 11 members suspended Adams, citing allegations of anti-party activities and actions detrimental to the PDP’s reputation.
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, swiftly rebutted the suspension, emphasizing that the SWC lacked the authority to suspend the chairman without recourse to the national body. The ensuing clash of opinions underscored the deep-seated discord within the state chapter of the PDP.
Amid the contentious fallout, the state chapter defended its actions, citing the party’s constitution, which empowers all levels to discipline members working against the party’s interests. Notably, the suspension letter was reportedly endorsed by nine out of the 11 members of the SWC, indicating a lack of confidence in Adams’s leadership.
Following the emergence of Alabere as the acting chairman, the State Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, underscored the adherence to the party’s constitutional procedures. He articulated, “In line with recent developments in the PDP… the State Working Committee can take a position, and they have [responsibility] in line with the party… in furtherance of our constitution, there should not be a vacuum in the administration of the party.”
The appointment of Alabere and the concurrent tensions within the Ondo PDP reflect a chapter grappling with internal divisions and competing assertions of authority. As the party navigates this pivotal juncture, the political landscape in Ondo State is poised for further intrigue, with implications that reach far beyond the state’s borders.
