Fayose and Makinde
By Our Reporter
It was a close contest as former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose’s candidate; Eddy Olafeso took on Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde’s candidate, Taofeeq Arapaja for the chairmanship position of the South west PDP Zonal congress held at WOCDIF Event Centre, Osogbo, capital of Osun on Monday .
Stakeholders had expected a landslide for Arapaja as Fayose had earlier accepted Makinde as leader of the PDP in South West.
That was not to be as Fayose’s candidate, Eddy Olafeso polled 330 votes, narrowly losing to Arapaja, who had 343 votes, with 10 votes voided.
Olafeso was the former chairman of the zone, while Arapaja was a former deputy governor of Oyo and former ambassador.
Chairman of the Electoral panel, Governor Samuel Ortom who was represented by his deputy Benson Abounu announced the result of the election.
Abounu commended the spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by the contestants and the delegates for making the process free, fair and peaceful.
While reacting to the outcome of the election, Arapaja said both camps would all work together to move the party forward.
“We thank Gov. Seyi Makinde and Mr Ayo Fayose.
“PDP is our party. We will work together to move the party forward.
“We want to reposition the party and I will work with my brother Olafeso to achieve our aims,” Arapaja said..
Olafeso however promised to work with Arapaja to move the party forward.
“The storm is over, there is a new beginning for our party.
“We have to thank God almighty that desPite odds, there is a new beginning for our party.
“The time is now. I thank everybody who supported me,” Olafeso said.
Makinde and Fayose, in their speeches, promised to accept whoever emerges as the South-West PDP Chairman.
Prior to the election, Fayose had publicly accepted Makinde as the South West zonal leader.
“Makinde is the leader and father of the party in Southwest”, he told the delegates.
It will be recalled that the leadership tussle between Makinde and Fayose had heated up the zone, with the PDP NWC having to shift the congress from Ibadan to Osogbo.
But on arrival at the venue Fayose for reasons yet to be ascertained accepted Makinde as the leader of the zone.
