I Remain the Authentic PDP National Secretary - Oyinlola

Ex-Governor of the State of Osun, Mr. Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has  again made it clear that he remains the only authentic National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying that  any other person who claims to occupy the office remains an impostor.  

Oyinlola, who said he had challenged the national leadership of the party on his suspension from office as the party’s national sectary, remarked that: “Until the court decides otherwise, he remains the national secretary of the party.”

The former governor who stated this at a rally organised by the Osun Central senatorial district of the party in Okuku, his home town, on Sunday said the PDP now remained one adding that the New PDP which he co-founded is dead.

According to him, “I am still the only authentic national secretary of the PDP. Any other person who claims that office is an impostor and should be treated as such.

If any other person acts as the PDP national secretary, it can affect our party in the future because other political parties can use that against us,” he stated.

He said: “Only the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) has the right to discipline a NEC member that I am. I have studied the constitution of our party and as a lawyer I know that the state chapter of the party or any other organ within the party lacks the prerogative to discipline me.”

Oyinlola who recalled that the crisis within the PDP at the national level led to the birth of new PDP, said: “There is only one PDP in Nigeria now and I belong to the party. There is no old or new PDP again. We are all in PDP.”

He affirmed that  he would remain the national secretary of the party until the court decides otherwise, adding that it is the only national convention of the party, which produced him that could produce national officers for the party.

He equally noted that he had no link with the All Progressives Congress (APC) even though he was invited to join the party.

On his relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan, Oyinlola said: “I have a cordial relationship with my President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. The relationship between us is very cordial.”

Oyinlola however refused to comment on the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Osun State, saying doing so would amount to revealing the strategy of his party ahead of the poll.

(thisdaylive)