The composition of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) new caretaker committee for Ekiti State has sparked controversy and criticism. The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party announced on Friday the formation of a 19-member caretaker committee, led by Dare Adeleke, following the expiration of the tenure of the previous State Working Committee. The announcement was made by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.
The decision, however, has faced backlash from within the party, particularly from supporters of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose. Lere Olayinka, media aide to Fayose, condemned the NWC’s move, describing it as an “exercise of the NWC’s discretion,” which he claimed would not prevent others from exercising their own discretion in response.
In a statement issued from Ado Ekiti on Saturday, Olayinka emphasized that while the NWC has exercised its discretion, Fayose’s supporters also reserve the right to act based on their own judgment. He stated, “The NWC has a discretion, and they have exercised it. However, everyone who has discretion cannot foreclose the counter-discretion that other parties can also exercise. We don’t have powers over their discretion, and at the appropriate time, they won’t have powers over ours either.”
Olayinka further asserted that Fayose’s camp would respond to the NWC’s decision in due course, noting that the impact of their actions would be felt in the future. “We welcome their decision because it is within their purview to make it. However, when our own discretion is exercised, this present NWC will no longer be in office, but it will come with necessary consequences,” he added.
The discord highlights ongoing tensions within the PDP as factions vie for influence and control within the party. The controversy underscores the challenges faced by political parties in managing internal disagreements and maintaining cohesion amid leadership changes.
