The Osun State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Olasoji Adagunodo has warned the National Secretariat against interfering in matters of the State Secretariat rather they should foster peace among members of the party.
Adagunodo said this during the interdenominational service held on Wednesday for the beginning of a new year at the new party secretariat in the state capital, Osogbo.
According to Adagunodo, he had settled the controversy about the change of the state secretariat while stating that it was due to the ownership of the party secretariat by an Educational institution and by one of the families of an aspirant of the party in 2022.
This warning came after alleged threats emanating room a press release issued by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan over the use of the new secretariat.
During an interview with journalists, Adagunodo, said the change of the state secretariat is not the first time adding that it had happened for about seven times and has never been a concern of the National Headquarters of the party.
Adagunodo added that the first party secretariat of the party in Osun state was a facility provided by one of the leaders of the party, Dr. Olu Alabi whose property was being used as the first Secretariat of PDP but in 1998/99 when Senator ( Dr ) Olu Alabi signified his intention to vie for the governorship of the party, the party led by Cheif Lai Ogunrinade had to move out of the building so that the party could be independent of any interference from the owner who also doubles as one of the intending flagbearers.
He further stated that the party was using the premises of Otunba Iyiola Omisore and the owner signified his willingness to contest the governorship position under the party, the party had to relocate to the last Secretariat at Biket junction and this was done by the regime of Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa.
Hon. Adagunodo also noted that the same situation also arose when he was out of office during the step-aside situation and his Deputy, Elder Akanfe Atidade was acting as the State chairman and the property was reported to have been bought by the Adeleke University to be used as its Liaison office, the Elder Sunday Akanfe Atidade and other members of the State Working Committee decided to avoid a situation where a particular aspirant would have overbearing influence on the party because of the office accommodation, hence their resolve to look for another office which is King’s Square but before the Executive could move the party to the new Office.
The State Party Chairman charged the National Headquarters of the party to desist from interfering and put the burden of the change of office on his head because it was done when the same National headquarters forced him to stay at home.
He said rather than dabbling into issues that are of insignificant values that can further hike tension in the state, the National secretariat should fashion a way of ensuring that the PDP crises in Osun subside.
The former State Secretary of the party, Major R.A. Towobola, popularly called Major RAT warned those who are creating divisions in the party to have a rethink.
Major RAT said it is appalling that people cannot wait for the tenure of Adagunodo to end before sponsoring his removal since his tenure will end before the governorship primary of the party commences in a year.
The former secretary advised those who are interested in contesting for the governorship to go and sell themselves to the party members instead of attempting to buy the party.
Major RAT also urged those who are not satisfied with the winning strategy of Adagunodo to go and prepare for the next congress in 2022 instead of creating unnecessary upheavals in the party.
The program which had limited attendance to a maximum of five leaders from each local government areas barred aged people and those with underlying sickness from attending in compliance with COVID-19 protocols.
Various Christian and Muslim Clerics attended the prayer session as party faithful, members and loyalists from all the 30 local government areas of the state.
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