The leadership tussle between the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, over who occupies the chairmanship position of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the south west zone, was today finally laid to rest in Oshogbo, the Osun State capital.
Results of the election into the zonal chairmanship position, officially declared indicate that former deputy governor of Oyo State, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, who was backed by Governor Makinde of Oyo State, defeated Olafeso, who was bankrolled by former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose.
As at the time of going to press, elections into other zonal offices were still on going.
In the Chairmanship election 684 delegates were accredited, while 674 delegates cast their votes. Ten votes were declared void.
At the end of the fierce contest, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja from Oyo State polled 343 votes, while his challenger Eddy Olafeso gannered 330 votes
Speaking after the declaration of Arapaja as the winner, Olafeso said, “the storm is over, there is a new beginning for our party. We have to thank God almighty that despite the odds, there is a new beginning for our party. The time is now. I thank everybody who supported me.
In the same vein, the brand new, South West Zonal chairman of the party, Arapaja, thanked Governor Makinde for his support and promised to work with all for the development and growth of the party in the zone.
“We thank Governor Seyi Makinde and Former Governor Fayose. It’s our party. We will work together and move the party forward. We want to reposition the party. I will work with my brother Olafeso to achieve our aims”, he said.
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