While I know and trust that the above stated issue is being addressed at the appropriate quarters, let me state the following:
1. That events have since overtaken the issuance of a letter to OGSIEC naming one Sikirulai Ogundele as Chairman of the Ogun State PDP.
2. It is laughable and ludicrous that at a time well-meaning leaders are meeting till late in the night with a view to finding lasting peace to the crisis rocking the PDP, some persons could be celebrating the purported issuance of a letter to OGSIEC in respect of the forthcoming LG election.
3. As captured in a report released earlier today, following the intervention of DSP Ike Ekweremadu, Governor Seriake Dickson, Chairman of the BoT and other well-meaning leaders, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State and Senator Buruji Kashamu met today and resolved;
A. That henceforth none of them should interfere in the affairs of any state apart from their home state;
B. That the State Executive Committees as presented constituted and approved by the NEC before the botched National Convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti states remain.
C. That the State Excos of the PDP in the three other states of Lagos, Oyo and Osun states will be harmonised and consolidated.
D. That the leaders should always consult among themselves and work harmoniously together going forward.
E. Finally, they resolved to continually work together for the peace, unity and progress of the people and party in the South West.
3. The purported issuance of a letter to one Sikirulai Ogundele as "Chairman of the State Executive Committee" must have been done in error or before Senator Buruji Kashamu gave his nod to the peace process.
4. Besides, the celebration of the so-called letter by the Chairman, Caretaker Committee and the Secretary is an open display of mischief or ignorance, or both.
5. According to Chapter VIII of the PDP Constitution, particularly Article 50 (10a) "For members aspiring for nomination for election to the post of Councillors, Local Government Council Chairman or membership, the deciding authority shall be the State Executive Committee". In effect, the national leadership of the party has no role to play in the nomination of candidates for LG election
6. The so-called letter cannot override valid congresses that have been approved by NEC before the botched May 21st, 2016 National Convention.
7. INEC has since issued Certified True Copies of its reports validating the Ward, LG and State Congresses under the leadership of Engr. Adebayo Dayo.
8. There is also a valid court judgment validating the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led exco from the ward to the state level.
9. All the above facts put together makes an illusion of grandeur for anyone or group of persons to think that a mere piece of paper of doubtful origin would get them what they could not get on the field and in the courts from Abuja to Lagos and Abeokuta.
10. We have said it before and we will say it again: these people are non-starters and learners - indeed pawns in this game of intrigues, strategies, plots and counter-plots. We have shown that time and again, and we will continue to take the lead while they follow.
Thank you.
Austin Oniyokor (15/07/2016)