Southwest PDP chairman removed

THE Southwest Zonal Executive Committee of the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has removed its
chairman, Chief Isola Filani.
The party leadership disclosed this in a communique
at the end of an extra-ordinary meeting in Ibadan,
the Oyo State capital.
The meeting, which was attended by13 members of
the zonal committee, passed a vote of no confidence
in the embattled chairman.
The meeting, which was presided over by an ex-
officio, Ayotunde Olowofoyeku, appointed the former
treasurer, Lanre Orimoloye, as acting chairman.
The zonal executive accused Filani of "running a
one-man" administration, adding that he refused to
call meetings, contrary to the provisions of the
party's constitution.
But when contacted, Filani said he did not know
how the committee came to the conclusion.
"I was not at the meeting. I don't know how they
came to that conclusion," he said.
The communiqué issued by committee reads: "The
meeting is being held in accordance with Section 27:
3 & 4 of our party's constitution, which authorises
the two-third majority of our members to convene a
meeting.
"The Zonal Executive Committee hereby urges Mr.
President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to declare
his intention to contest the 2015 Presidential
elections, stating that the SW (Southwest) Zone will
give him all necessary support.
"The Zonal Executive Committee congratulates the
good people of Ekiti State, our party and the
Governor-elect, Dr. Ayo Fayose, on the victory of our
party in the June 21st, 2014 gubernatorial election.
"In the same vein, the Zonal Executive Committee
hereby congratulates our party and the gubernatorial
candidate Senator Iyiola Omisore on the significant
success recorded in the August 9th, 2014
gubernatorial elections in Osun State. The zone
equally gives support to the party's efforts to reclaim
our mandate at the tribunal.
"The meeting also reviewed the activities of the zone
since the emergence of the caretaker committee. It
noted that Mr. Chairman, Chief Ishola Filani, has
been running a one-man show and has not carried
the members along in the running, finance and other
statutory issues of the zone.
"In the light of the above, the meeting hereby passes
a vote of no confidence on the chairman, Chief
Ishola Filani.
"Finally, for the smooth running of the zone, the
meeting hereby appoints Lanre Orimoloye – the
Zonal Treasurer – to act in his place and Ayo
Olowofoyeku, the Zonal Ex-Officio from Osun State
to Act as the Zonal Treasurer."
The communique was signed by the 13 members
present at the meeting.
They include the Secretary, Chief Adepegba Otemolu;
the Women Leader, Chief Wunmi Osinroluke-Euba;
the Financial Secretary, Otunba Banji Obasanmi
and the Publicity Secretary, Waheed Lawal, a lawyer.
Lawal said, by the development, Filani would now
attend meetings as an ordinary member.
The committee was inaugurated in February last
year.

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