A political group, Equity Coalition Forum, has commended the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, for upholding democratic rules in the handling of Osun senatorial primaries.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its publicity secretary, Abdulahi Olugbebe, the group described as unprecedented “the meticulousness and patience demonstrated by the PDP working committee in the conduct of the primaries”.

According to the group, “All aspirants were given ample and equal opportunities to participate in a free and fair atmosphere. If the party had done otherwise, it would have affected the chances of the party in Osun. We urge Prince Secondus to stay the course till the end.

“We noted that the primaries were conducted four times leading to the emergence of Dr Lere Oyewumi for Osun West, Chief Ade Fadahunsi for Osun East and Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa for Osun Central. The NWC should stand firm and resist any pressure from undemocratic forces.”

“On the first day of the primary 2nd Oct at Iwo City Hall, delegates were gathered from 9am. At exactly 4pm, thugs came to destabilise the place. Two delegates were matcheted at the back and rushed to the hospital. The chairman of the panel then shifted the primary to the second day Oct 3rd.

“The delegates were again mobilised to Iwo at SeeBee Event centre by 10am. The panel chairman then invited all the senatorial aspirants to the PDP chairman office at Osogbo where we discussed how the primary will be held without rancour. All the senatorial aspirants attended the meeting except Akin Ogunbiyi.

“The aspirants in attendance were Prince Fadaunsi, Erelu Olusola Obada, Alh. Gani Ola Oluwa, Alh Fatai Diekola and Dr. Lere Oyewumi. Also in attendance were Soji Adagunodo Òsun PDP Chairman, Alh Shuaib Oyedokun chairman, Osun PDP Elders Forum, Dr. Muyiwa Oladimeji, and some members of the state working committee. Dr Ogunbiyi, did not attend.

“The panel chairman then said he could not go ahead with Osun West primary since Ogunbiyi is not around. The party chairman then advised the panel to contact the National Secretariat for directive. The party dispersed the delegates again.

“On Thursday 4th, the NWC at a meeting in Abuja directed that both Oyewumi and Ogunbiyi should go for primary election. Another committee was then set up under the chairmanship of Bala Aboki to go and complete the outstanding senatorial primaries in Osun State.”

Consequently, the primaries for Osun west and East were held on Saturday 6th October where Prince Ade Fadaunsi emerged from East and Dr Lere Oyewumi emerged from Osun West.

“It is on record that Erelu Obada, a member of one of the convention committee of PDP in Port Harcourt, came to participate in the primary. Both Fadaunsi and Oyewumi were also the National delegates in the Port Harcourt presidential election. Hence, the primaries held in Osun State are not ambiguous.

“All the necessary agencies observed the election and they have the results. No affirmation anywhere in Osun State because there is no single candidate in any of the three senatorial districts,” the group said.

It called on the PDP leadership to stand by her decisions and the results of the Congress, adding that “the PDP stands greater chance of winning when the will of delegates are respected.”

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