PDP Convention: Anxiety As Oyinlola, Ciroma Refuse to Step Down for PDP Consensus Candidates

• The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has removed the name of a former governor of Osun state, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, from the consensus list
• The main opposition in the country is currently holding its national convention to elect the officials for the party
• Oyinlola, however, said that he would not step down for a former deputy governor in Oyo state, Taofeek Arapaja, who is the preferred candidate of the party's leaders

Eagles Square, Abuja - A former governor of Osun state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has vowed that he would not step down for the preferred candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the position of deputy national chairman (south), Taofeek Arapaja.

The Nation reports that the efforts of the leaders of the party failed to persuade Oyinlola to withdraw from the contest as of the time voting commenced at 5 pm.

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Legit.ng gathered that the stakeholders, especially the party’s governors, have adopted Arapaja as consensus candidate for the position, a decision Oyinlola has vowed to resist.

Also, Inna Ciroma, who is contesting for deputy national chairman (North), has also stuck to her guns, resisting pressure to step down for her male contender, Umar Damagum.

Ciroma and Damagum are from Yobe state to which the position was micro zoned.

Two candidates for national auditor, Samben Nwosu and Chibuogwu Benson-Oraelosi have, however, withdrawn from the contest.

Nwosu’s letter of withdrawal was read at the convention venue by Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.

On the other hand, Oraelosi announced her withdrawal on the podium while voting was in progress.

Their withdrawal left Chief Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel as the consensus candidate for the position.

Oyinlola's name was omitted from the consensus list of PDP

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Nigerian Tribune reports that Oyinlola was technically knocked off the race for the position as his name was conspicuously missing in the consensus list that emerged at the ongoing national convention.

Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja is the sole name indicated for the post in the list-making him the preferred candidate for the post.

Also missing is the name of Hajia Inna Ciroma who had insisted on contesting the office of the national deputy chairman (north).

Umar Ilya Damagum has been selected by the party as he is the name appearing on the list for the position.

Southwest stakeholders endorse Oyinlola, Ologunagba ahead of PDP national convention

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that stakeholders of the PDP from the southwest zone concluded negotiations on candidates to adopt as consensus options.

It was reported that a consultative meeting held in Lagos on Wednesday, October 27, by the stakeholders concluded on Oyinlola as the deputy national chairman (south) and Debo Ologunagba as the national publicity secretary of the party.

Sources privy to the meeting say the move is a last-ditch effort by the southwest PDP chieftains to secure a united front in the national convention to elect national officers.

Source: Legit.ng