Former Governor Ayodele Fayose has explained that his camp chose to overlook over-voting at the Monday PDP Southwest zonal congress because of the interest of the party.
The News Carrier NG reported how Governor Makinde’s anointed candidate, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja narrowly defeated Fayose’s candidate, Dr. Eddy Olafeso to become the PDP’s Southwest Zonal Chairman. Arapaja polled 343 votes to defeat his main opponent, Olafeso who polled 330 votes.
Fayose on Monday night via his verified Twitter account night congratulated Ex deputy governor of Oyo State, Arapaja on his emergence as the Southwest Zonal Chairman of the PDP.
The tweets read:
“Like I said in my speech at the beginning of the congress that we should win together and we have indeed won together.
“Whatever may be our reservations on the issue of over-voting, we have chosen to look at the larger picture, which is the PDP.
“We must therefore use our energy and resources to rebuild the party,” he said.
Fayoseadded: “Arapaja’s 343 and Olafeso’s 330 votes, has simply shown strength on the two sides, this should be explored by the party, going forward.
“I thank the National Working Committee (NWC) for helping to bring this congress behind us.”
In a similar development, former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, congratulated Ambassador Arapaja.
Saraki on Tuesday via his verified Twitter account congratulated the leaders and stakeholders of PDP for the successful conclusion of the PDP South-West Zonal Congresses yesterday.
The tweets read in part:
“I also congratulate Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, who was returned as the South-West Zonal Chairman of the @OfficialPDPNig, and all the new zonal executives of our party in the region.
“As you all prepare to embark on your respective assignments in the zonal EXCO, I wish you all the best. It is my hope that you will all continue to work towards the ongoing reformation and repositioning of our great party.”
