By Seyifunmi Odunuga
There is tension in the Ekiti State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has uncovered flaws in the processes leading up to the state congresses organised by the Party last year.
The supremacy battle between former Governor Ayo Fayose and Senator Abiodun Olujimi over who controls the soul of the party had led to its polarisation.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Dr Adeniran Tella, made the commission’s position on the controversial congresses known via a letter dated June 23, 2021 ref number INEC/EK/S/EPM/VI/56/1107 titled, ‘Re: PDP ward delegates and ad-hoc local government and state congresses held 7th March, 26th August and 29th August 2020: Request for the Certified True Copy of the report of INEC Monitoring Team in line with the constitutional provision’.
The electoral body in the letter clarified that it only monitored one of the parallel ward congresses but did not monitor the local government and state congresses which produced the party officials at the three levels.
“However, the congresses (ward) were monitored in the morning by our officials as scheduled, but later in the evening of the same day, some PDP officials came up with another format, but our officials could not monitor the conduct though results were later turned in too thus making it a parallel congress.
“Sequel to your request in respect of the Local Government and State Congresses, you are hereby referred to a letter earlier written in respect of same dated 29th September 2020 with reference no. INEC/S/LOG/8/56/1042 confirming that the Commission in the State did not monitor the two congresses due to the parallel congresses conducted by factions of the party and the subsequent litigation arising thereof,” the letter reads in part.
A source within the leadership of the party said the situation required the urgent intervention of the PDP National Working Committee led by Prince Uche Secondus “to avert labouring in vain only for the All Progressives Congress to reap the fruits in the forthcoming governorship election”.
Meanwhile, a source said Urges “The NWC must take immediate action to reconcile the two groups in the Ekiti PDP crisis so that INEC can withdraw that report.
“It shows clearly that Section 83 of the Electoral Law which mandates INEC to supervise and monitor all political parties’ activities including finance, congresses and conferences has been violated.
“To withdraw the INEC report, PDP NWC should explore one of two options; one is for the NWC to order for fresh congresses in Ekiti State from ward to state level.
