The hopes of Governor Samuel Ortom, Senator Barnabas Grenade, and Representative Udende getting automatic tickets to contest next year’s gubernatorial and National Assembly elections on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have failed as the party’s 80th National Executive Committee (NEC) reportedly rejected these pre-condition they put forward to ditch the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP.
A source said the NEC considered them more of liabilities than assets, unlike other APC Governors and Federal lawmakers of the APC that have been promised automatic tickets. However, they are free to rejoin the PDP as members.
At the same meeting, the NEC considered and approved the expulsion of Senator Kashamu Buruji, Mr. Samiu Sodipo, Engr. Bayo Adebayo and Hon. Segun Seriki from the party, the official Twitter handle of the party confirmed.
The expelled members are from the Ogun State Chapter of the PDP.
The four men were alleged to have worked against the success of the party at the last Ekiti gubernatorial elections, which former Governor and Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, won.
Said PDP spokesman, Mr. Kola Ologbondinyan, after the meeting: “The party took disciplinary action against its members who have been hobnobbing with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in ways that were detrimental to the interest of the PDP.”
The NEC, however, endorsed the decision of the Ekiti State PDP to challenge the outcome of the just concluded Gubernatorial Election at the Election Petition with a view to reclaim the mandate of the Party which was allegedly stolen by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Also approved at the NEC meeting was the schedule of activities leading to the 2019 General Elections.
Furthermore, the NEC meeting approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) entered into with 38 other political parties. The NEC constituted a Committee to work with other stakeholders of the Party towards the overall success of all the political Parties in the Union.