The Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party in the South West, Dr Rahman Owokoniran has described Chief Segun Adewumi as an experienced and grassroot politician who is service personified that can lead Ekiti PDP to victory.
Owokoniran made this asscertion today when Chief Segun Akinwumi and his entourage paid a courtesy and notification visit to the South West secretariat of the party at No 26, Osuntokun Avenue, Bodija, Ibadan, the Oyo state capital presenting himself as chairmanship aspirant in the forthcoming party congresses .
The former commissioner while addressing Owokoniran and his executive thanked them for the reception accorded him and his entourage and intimated them of his intention to reconcile every member of the party to make sure that Ekiti PDP wins the gubernatorial election in 2026.
Akinwumi opined: ” I am here today to familiarize myself with you and to tell you that I intend to be the chairman of the PDP in Ekiti State and based on my pedigree, having served as a cabinet member during Niyi Adebayo and Ayo Fayose”s governments, I understand the terrain and I am prepared to lead the party to victory in 2026 and beyond’.
“I want to remind you again that everything in Nigeria starts from Ekiti and on behalf of our party, I seek for your support inorder to achieve this laudable project”.
In his response, Dr Owokoniran agreed with Akinwumi that the PDP in Nigeria missed it right away from Ekiti when the party couldn’t get it right through a transparent and acceptable gubernatorial primary which led to massive defection of party faithfuls to the Social Democratic Party.
The Southwest PDP chairman said: ” We missed it then and it revolved round the country and I can assure you, we are mindful of the situation this time around.
He urged Akinwumi to embrace everybody and embark on reconciliation if given the opportunity”.
“We are going to embark on a transparent party congresses which everybody will be given a level playing ground in order to have a formidable team for the task ahead and we will not compromise this”.
The South West Youth Leader and Zonal Organizing Secretary, Comrade Seyi Bamidele and Barrister Amuwa Benson commended Akinwumi for leaving Ekiti for Ibadan for the meeting, indicating his preparedness for the task ahead.
“Going through your resuming as a Council Vice Chairman in 1991 and served as cabinet member in both AD and PDP governments, we are convinced that you are up to the task to dislorge APC in Ekiti come 2026”.
The Zonal Public Relation Officer of the party who is also from Ekiti State, High Chief Olusanya Atofarati described Chief Akinwumi as an household name in Ekiti and if given the opportunity, the party would be so blessed in his leadership quality because of his experience as a party man judging from his track record spanning over three decades in active politics who would not need much push from any quarters.
Atofarati used the opportunity to remind Akinwumi of the position of the Governor of Oyo, State,Engineer Seyi Makinde on Ekiti PDP that everybody must come together as a family irrespective of interest which he was of the opinion that Chief Akinwumi was in a better position to repositioning the party for victory in Ekiti State.