The Deputy Governor of Osun State, Kola Adewusi, on Friday declared that the rift within the Peoples Democratic Party in Ife Federal Constituency had been laid to rest after weeks of bickering among key stakeholders.
Adewusi, who hosted a peace meeting at his residence in Ile-Ife, said party leaders had agreed to bury their differences and work in unity ahead of future elections.
Recall that on September 1, no fewer than 39 party leaders passed a vote of no confidence in Adewusi, a former PDP National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, and the Ife East PDP Chairman, Olasunkanmi Makinde.
They had accused the trio of anti-party activities and of hobnobbing with a former House of Representatives member, Bimbo Ajilesoro, who defected to the All Progressives Congress.
The communiqué released at the time, and signed by Commissioners Biyi Odunlade (Political Affairs) and Dipo Eluwole (Education), condemned Ajilesoro’s defection and expressed disappointment at the alleged loyalty some PDP leaders still showed to him.
Party insiders, however, linked the rancour to speculations that Governor Ademola Adeleke might consider replacing Adewusi with another Ife-born politician ahead of the 2026 governorship race.
But addressing journalists after Friday’s parley, Adewusi dismissed insinuations of deep-seated division within the party.
“We have forgotten the past and turned a new leaf. PDP is one; there is no division. Even the tongue and mouth disagree sometimes, but today everything has been resolved. It’s a storm in a teacup,” he said.
The deputy governor added that the reconciliation was endorsed by the senatorial leadership and other critical stakeholders. “The Devil wanted to play his game, but we won’t allow him,” Adewusi stated.
Also speaking, Osun East Central District PDP leader, Olayiwola Famuyide, lauded Adeleke for wading into the crisis and fostering reconciliation.
Meanwhile, at a separate peace meeting attended by Adewusi, Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Lere Oyewumi, Osun PDP Chairman, Sunday Bisi, and Commissioners’ Forum Chairman, Ganiyu Olaoluwa, Governor Adeleke said the crisis stemmed largely from communication gaps.
He urged party leaders to close ranks and remain united in pursuit of electoral victories.
