BEVERLY HILLS, November 06, (THEWILL) – Though the nationwide local ward congresses organised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last weekend may have gone, the controversies trailing the exercise have triggered off fresh crisis within the party across the country.
In the Lagos State chapter of the party, the controversy surrounding the result of the ward congress in the Epe zone is already being exploited by some leaders of the party who are now calling for the cancellation of the exercise throughout the state.
Observers of the development however are of the view that if not well handled, the brewing crisis may threaten the determination of the party to take over the state from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) come 2015.
Already, nine aspirants are jostling to fly the party’s flag in the 2015 governorship election in the state. The aspirants include Alhaji Musiliu Obanikoro, the immediate past minister of state for Defence; Mr. Jimi Agbaje, a pharmacist, businessman and member of the Afenifere Renewal Group who recently defected to the party.
Others include Mr. Ade Dosunmu, a former public servant who also contested against Fashola in 2011; Deji Doherty, a businessman; Babatunde Gbadamosi, a consultant, and Dominic Adegbola, who is a medical practitioner.
Sources within the party said though the congress electoral committee for Lagos State led by Ambassador Obed Wadzani had conducted what was generally regarded as a free and fair congress, there was a little problem with the exercise in Epe Local Government area, where the results were cancelled.
It was however learnt that some powerful leaders of the party who are working for a choice governorship aspirant have started scheming for the cancellation of the entire exercise to enable them manipulate the fresh congresses to the advantage of their candidate, who they hope to present as the party’s candidate during the election.
