The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced the appointment of Tola Alabere, the state deputy chairman, as the acting state chairman. This decision was endorsed by the State Executive Committee (SEC) members after the suspension of the embattled chairman, Hon. Fatai Adams, by nine out of the eleven members of the State Working Committee (SEC).
Adams faced suspension over allegations of anti-party activities and actions deemed detrimental to the party’s reputation. The national publicity secretary of the party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, on behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC), dismissed Adams’ suspension, declaring it null and void. Ologunagba argued that the state committee lacked the authority to suspend the chairman without consulting the national body.
In response, the Ondo State chapter of the party addressed the matter in a press conference at the party secretariat. The state publicity secretary, Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, explained that the appointment of Alabere as the acting state chairman was made to prevent any vacuum in the party’s operations.
Peretei, accompanied by other SEC members, stated that the decision aligned with the provisions of the party’s constitution. He clarified, “All levels possess the power to discipline erring members within their ranks, including the State Chairman. We are not at war with the National Working Committee of the party. Nine out of eleven SWC members signed the suspension letter, signaling a lack of confidence in Adams’ leadership.”
In a move to affirm Adams’ suspension and ensure continuity, the SEC approved the appointment of the State Vice Chairman, Alabere, to assume the role of the acting state chairman of the PDP in Ondo State.
