From Richard Akintade, Osogbo

Leaders, elders and top federal and state officials of Osun chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party ,PDP, on Thursday held a strategic closed doors meeting with Governor Ademola Adeleke declaring unequivocally that he has no plan to quit the PDP, either now or in the future.

The meeting held at the Banquet Hall of the Government was attended by all critical top leaders of the party with former governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola addressing the meeting virtually while Prof Wale Oladipo, the Chairman of Imole Movement declared PDP as a home for all genuine lovers of Osun people.

The 1999 governorship candidate of PDP and life member of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Oluwole Alabi and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Lasun Yusuf described PDP as an agent of development and human empowerment.

A PDP member of the House of Representatives, representing PDP members of the Federal House , Akanni Olohunwa applauded the extensive positive transformation Osun is witnessing and affirmed that PDP is sure of victory in any future  electoral contest.

At the meeting coordinated by PDP State Chairman, Hon Sunday Bisi and attended by House Speaker, Rt Hon Adewale Egbedun and members of the State assembly, Governor Adeleke described rumours about his imminent defection as “fake news emanating from those intimidated by our extraordinary performance in state leadership.

“My people, party elders and chiefs, I declare before you today that I am not  defecting to APC or any other political party. I remain in PDP. Ignore any fake news”, the Governor declared.

The stakeholders’s forum issued a communique signed by Hon Sunday Bisi which runs as follows:

“After hours of addresses and brainstorming sessions, the meeting resolved as follows :

• Passes vote of confidence and endorsement on the state governor for his equitable, foresight full and efficient leadership;

• Re-endorse the governor for second term as the sole candidate of the party for the 2026 election;

• Appreciates extensive delivery of dividends of democracy and good governance across all sectors of Osun society;

• Welcome and applaud the declaration by the State Governor that he has no plan either now or in the future to defect to the All Progressive Congress,APC, or any other political party;

• Welcome and applaud declaration by other top leaders of the party that they are not quitting the PDP for APC or any other party;

• Hail the party executive and leaders as well as elected and appointed officials from Oriade/Obokun federal constituency for remaining steadfast with the PDP and rejecting recent defections by an ungrateful lone ranger;

• Commend the strategies of the state leadership in tackling and managing the local government leadership crisis, hailing the approach as akin to winning a war without firing a shot;

• Endorse the due process approach to the local government crisis and urge for further patience from all stakeholders;

• Commend the state leadership of the party for managing the party affairs with calm.and wisdom, declaring that the State PDP is strongly footed to win future contests;

• Express optimism that the national chapter of the party is working to resolve its internal challenges and that the outcome will result in a party more united and well positioned for future victories”.

FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY 

A former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion has said he foresaw the defectors from the People’s Democratic Party ,PDP, to the All Progressives Congress ,APC, to return soonest, or to another party that would hold sway in the nearest future.

Igbinedion, a foundation member of the PDP, addressed journalists at the residence of Senator Rowland Owie, where he led some PDP leaders to pay condolence visit to the former Chief Whip, who lost his wife, Helen recently.

The former governor stressed that, he was not perturbed by the gale of defections that has swept the PDP. According to him, defection has been characteristic of the average Nigerian politician.

“I don’t worry so much because I know Nigerian politicians. They swing from one side to the other. If anything happens tomorrow, those people that defected, you will see them coming back to the PDP.

“There was a time when the PDP had the highest number of governors in this country and we saw PDP both in the south and in the north and now it is APC’s turn, they will be deflated sooner or later and whether it is going to be PDP or a new party, only God knows”.

He also lend his voice to the yet to be seen ‘coalition: to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027, Igbinedion said, “I have always been in the PDP since 1998 and I am not contemplating leaving PDP.

“But one thing for sure is that, I believe in equity and that equity means that it is the turn of a southerner to be president.

“So, if any other southerner comes tomorrow from the PDP of course I will support the southerner.

“After that, in the year, 2031, it will now be the turn of the North. I will also look at the possible candidate for that job”.

Igbinedion said they were in Owie’s house to commiserate with him being an ally.

“We have known for many decades and somebody who is full of life and, I also admire him a lot because to be married for fifty years is not a joke and to lose a life partner can be very saddening and we came to condole and wish him continuous God’s strength, God knows best and we came to give the necessary support to carry on without her”, the former Governor of Edo State said.

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta says the All Progressives Congress ,APC, will welcome former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori, into the party’s fold.

Oborevwori who recently defected to the party from the Peoples Democratic Party, made the remarks during the vigil mass held in honour of the former deputy governor of the state, Prof Amos Utuama.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the mass was held on Wednesday at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Otu-Jeremi, Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.

The governor, who stressed the need for unity among the Urhobo political class, highlighted the selfless contributions of the transited former deputy governor.

 “I am very happy to be here today, seeing this large gathering for one man. The preaching today is not about the dead, it is about the living.

“There are many things our former deputy governor did while he was alive. I will mention just a few key ones.

“He donated the land allocated to him in Asaba while he was deputy governor to the Catholic Church.

“He also contributed to building of the church. To me, that is a kingdom investment”, he said.

Oborevwori prayed that the passing of the deceased would bring peace and unity to Ughelli South and the entire Urhobo ethnic group.

In his exhortation, the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Warri, Most Rev. Anthony Ewherido, affirmed that the late Prof. Amos Utuama lived an impactful life in both the church and the society.

Ewherido condoled with the family, urging them to uphold the legacies of their father which were: godliness, humility, charity and selflessness.

The bishop described the death of a Christian as a transition to eternal glory and reminded everyone of the need to accept Christ while alive to enjoy eternity after the physical death.

He also called for continued unity among the political class for the peace and development of the state.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Ovie Utuama, son of the deceased, appreciated all for their support and requested prayers for the family during this difficult period.