South-West PDP Cancels Reconciliation Meeting over Fayose’s Absence

….To Reconvene at a Later Date


The South-West zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cancelled its reconciliation meeting meant to settle the rift between Governor Seyi Makinde and former Governor Ayo Fayose because of the latter’s absence.

The meeting scheduled to hold at the Oyo state government house had the Fayose-tagged seat conspicuously unoccupied at the Oyo State Government House, Ibadan, which was the venue of the meeting.

Present at the venue of the aborted meeting was Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State who was meant to serve as a mediator between Makinde and Fayose.


Others present at the Oyo Government House were former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State; former governor Olusegun Oni of Ekiti State; Senator Biodun Olujimi representing Ekiti South and Honourable Rita Orji; candidate of the PDP in the 2020 Ondo governorship election, Mr Eyitayo Jegede.


When quizzed over the phone by journalists about his principal’s absence, Fayose’s media aide, Lere Olayinka said the former governor could not attend the meeting because his loyalists had also resolved to shun Thursday’s meeting.

“The former governor is not coming there. His people said they are not coming and he cannot come there alone,” Olayinka said.

Notable absentees at the meeting were Ladi Adebutu, Eddy Olafeso, Bisi Olopoeyan, Deji Doherty, Femi Babalola among others.

Addressing journalists after a brief meeting with other PDP stakeholders present, Wike said the meeting had to be aborted due to the absence of some persons for “logistics reasons”.

He, however, said the stakeholders resolved to shelve the meeting and give those absent another opportunity to reconsider their stance.

Pointing to the strategic nature of having a peaceful and united South-West PDP, he said efforts continued to be geared to resolve the various interests and bring everybody on board.

Without giving a timeline, he avowed that the aborted meeting will be reconvened as soon as the various warring interests are harmonized.

In his brief remark, Makinde said his concern was to continue to pursue peace in the South-West PDP due to its important role in the fortunes of the party.