The State Working Committee, SWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ondo State chapter, on Thursday ratified Tola Alabere as the acting state chairman of the party during an emergency meeting held at the party’s secretariat in Akure, the state capital.
Alabere, who had served as the party’s deputy chairman, assumed the new role following the purported suspension of Fatai Adams as chairman ealier on Tuesday.
The SWC appointed Alabere amid the crisis within the state chapter of the party over its leadership row.
The decision to endorse Alabere’s appointment was made by the SWC, consisting of leaders of the party, after 11 members of the party suspended Adams.
The accused Adams of allegedly engaging in anti-party activities and actions that were detrimental to the reputation of the PDP.
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, had issued a statement to counter the controversial suspension of Adams.
Ologunagba disclosed that the SWC lacked the power to suspend the chairman without seeking recourse from the national body.
Defending its decision, the state chapter of the party stated that, in accordance with the party’s constitution, all levels with the party have the power to discipline members working against the party.
It stated that nine out of the 11 members of the SWC signed the suspension letter, indicating a lack of trust in the leadership of Adams.
After the emergency meeting, the State Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, explained that the appointment of Alabere was carried out in compliance with the party’s constitution and through a proper process.
“In line with recent developments in the PDP, you will recall that a few days ago, the former PDP chairman in Ondo State, Fatai Adams, was suspended by the State Working Committee in line with our constitution.
“The State Working Committee can take a position, and they have the responsibility in line with the party.
“The State Executive Working Committee, which consists of the state local government party chairmen and other executive members, has ratified the position of the Working Committee to suspend Fatai Adams, and in furtherance of our constitution, there should not be a vacuum in the administration of the party.”
