By; Odeyermi Samuel, Akure.
Ahead of the 2019 general election, Leaders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South West Chapter had agreed to put personal interest aside and work towards the progress of the party.
This position was reached at the South West PDP Leaders meeting which was jointly organised by Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo State and his Ekiti State counterpart, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr. Mimiko noted that the South West Geo political Zone is the most ethnic nationality in West Africa that has been badly treated.
He therefore expressed the need for Leaders of PDP to come together and rebuild the party which has continued to remain in comatose.
According to him, there are issues that are bigger than the economy, which he said is the issue of ”our children” and without justice and fairness, there can be no peace and progress in the land.
“We need to rise up and confront the bigger challenge ahead of us such as the case of the Fulani herdsmen which is now staring us in the face” he asserted.
He however gave kudos to the Leader of Odua People’s Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams for the prompt intervention in tackling the Fulani menace in the state in recent times that would have metamorphosed into full blown ethnic war.
Also, his Ekiti State counterpart, Mr. Fayose assured that he will not join the multitude to do evil even if it affects him personall. He urged the people to ”forget Fayose” and deal with issues.
The Ekityi State Governor lamented that the legacies of free and fair election left behind by the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan had been bastardised in recent times.
His words, “our priority is a future that will benefit all of us and people should stop abrogating leadership position to themselves since leaders emerge in a natural phenomenon’”.
In his goodwill message, Chief Ebenezer Babatope noted that the unity of the people in the South West is non negotiable. He enjoined the region’s leaders to emulate the quality of Mimiko and Fayose by uniting one another.
At the end of the meeting, the communique which was by Prof. Taoheed Ladoja emphasised the need for unity among the Yorubas as a nation.
The Leaders agreed to focus on issues that can bring progress to the region and work as a team to reclaim the nation’s Presidency by 2019.
Those present at the occasion include Chief Bode George, Chief Debo Anisulowo, Chief Jumoke Akinjide, stakeholders from Osun, Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun and Ondo states.
