Ekiti PDP Announces Alliance with APM, Backs Governor Seyi Makinde for Presidency
Ekiti PDP Announces Alliance with APM, Backs Governor Seyi Makinde for Presidency
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has announced a political alliance with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) ahead of future elections, while also declaring Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, as its preferred presidential candidate.
The announcement was made by the Ekiti State PDP Chairman, Rt. Hon. Tunji Odeyemi, after a meeting of the party’s State Executive Committee, elders, leaders, and stakeholders held in Ado-Ekiti.
Ekiti PDP Announces Alliance with APM, Backs Governor Seyi Makinde for Presidency
According to Odeyemi, the meeting was attended by a large number of party stakeholders from across the state, who unanimously agreed that the Ekiti PDP would collaborate with the APM in future elections while maintaining its identity as a recognized structure within the PDP.
He explained that under the proposed alliance, the party would support candidates contesting on the APM platform in the presidential, senatorial, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly elections. He described the move as being in the best interest of the party, saying it would strengthen the opposition’s chances in future polls.
The announcement comes amid an earlier statement by the Omolase-led faction of the PDP, which distanced itself from any alliance with the APM.
Reacting to the disagreement, Odeyemi insisted that the Omolase faction does not represent the recognized leadership or the majority of PDP members in Ekiti State. He further stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not have the constitutional authority to determine or overturn the duly elected executives of any political party.
Odeyemi also criticized those who participated in the party congresses that produced the current state executives but later challenged the outcome in court. He noted that the Ekiti State High Court eventually dismissed and struck out the case.
He further dissociated the Odeyemi-led PDP from the endorsement of any presidential candidate by the Omolase faction, insisting that such endorsement was made without the approval of the legally constituted leadership of the party.
Addressing allegations that he had become the APM’s candidate for the Ekiti South Senatorial District, Odeyemi challenged the Omolase faction to present documentary evidence to support the claim, describing the allegation as propaganda and cheap blackmail.
He concluded by calling on PDP members across Ekiti State to remain united, embrace the PDP/APM alliance, and begin grassroots mobilization ahead of the forthcoming elections.
