Sam Philip
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has urged members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to strive for unity and harmony within the Southwest chapter with a view to deepening and widening the electoral fortunes of the party.
He made the call at the inauguration of South West Secretariat of the party in Ibadan which was named after the late zonal Vice Chairman, Hon Soji Adagunodo.
According to a statement signed by the
Spokesperson to the governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the governor appealed for closing of ranks in memory of the former party leader.
The governor said: “The significance of today’s event is the clarion call for unity and deeper brotherhood among PDP at home.and abroad. We must forget the past of division and unite for the good of our dear party.
“It is better for us to fight each other inside Government House than outside. We must refocus attention on building strong administrative operational structures.
“With that, we can deploy for elections, retain our existing states and even expand our reach across the six zones of the federation.”
At the event, which was attended by top leaders of PDP, including members of the National Working Committee, Governor Adeleke said the gathering raised two feelings in him, both of which he described as significant.
“First is that we are opening a major administrative hub for the party in the South West at a very critical point in our national life.
“Second is that the naming of the Secretariat is after my late brother, Soji Adagunodo, a top political leader and ally from my state before his transition.
“I am therefore in a sober mood because our brother is not here with us to witness the honour being done to his memory. I pray God Almighty grant him eternal rest,” he noted.
In his address at the event, the host, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State reiterated Governor Adeleke’s admonition for unity within the party, noting the presence of warring parties of the past at the commissioning as a sign that the party is now one in the zone.
He advised that leaders and members of the party should forget the bickering of the past and join hands to expand the party’s victory in future contests, hailing Governor Adeleke for his magnanimity and sense of responsibility.
The new zonal Secretariat contains state-of-the-art facilities for administrative and operational activities of the PDP for the zone.