Mimiko: Police seal off PDP

Akure—POLICE authorities in Ondo State yesterday sealed off the state secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, following the dissolution of the state working committee and their rejection of the national body’s decision.
Also, notable leaders of the party have been invited to a meeting in Abuja to find a lasting solution to the crisis by the National Working Committee of the party.
Governor Olusegun Mimiko will also attend the meeting.
At least 12 policemen were deployed to the party secretariat located at No 68 Oyemekun Road, Akure to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
The new caretaker committee members were yet to arrive the state yesterday.
Secretariat staff turned back
All staff of the secretariat were turned back yesterday by the policemen.
However, reports across the state had it that the dissolution of the exco down to the ward level was received with shock.
While many of the leaders of the party have threatened to defect to another party, others are calling for caution.
APC moves
As expected, leaders of the opposition APC have been mounting pressure on leaders of the old PDP to cross over following the alleged injustice.
Also yesterday, leaders of the PDP in Akure North Local Government Area of the state where the former state Chairman, Hon. Ebenezer Alabi hailed from, dissociated themselves from his declaration that they will, within 24 hours, leave the party.
Led by the party chairman in the council, Chief Nathaniel Babalola, during a visit to the governor in Akure, the group said that it has confidence in the leadership of the governor ”whose competence and leadership qualities has always been a point of reference as well as a source of envy to many.
“Let it be noted that the entire PDP members in Akure North local government will find comfort in associating with our leader in the state, Dr. Mimiko.”
Alabi condemns action
Meantime, the former Ondo State Chairman of PDP, Ebenezer Alabi, while reacting to the sealing of the party secretariat in a telephonr chat, condemned the action, saying; “It is very unfortunate that this is happening in our party.
“We have been using the secretariat since 1998 and nothing of such had ever happened. Since the governor joined our party things have not been right.”
Alabi was, however, optimistic that the State Working Committee will get justice in the court as the matter is in court.
“Since we are already in court, we hope to get justice at the end of the day,” he said.
Police deny action
Also, the Police image maker, Wole Ogodo, said he was not aware of the presence of policemen at the party secretariat.
Ogodo who did not sound convincing said: “I do not know anything about the deployment of policemen to the PDP secretariat, but I will find out and get back to you.