The Council of Young Leaders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State Chapter have condemned alleged plans by some party elders to replace the state’s acting chairman, Tola Alabere over suspicions of anti-party activities among others.

In a statement signed by the group’s team lead, Wande Ajayi and made available to Tribune Online on Sunday, the group declared its support to the state party chairman adding that it would not relent in its support pending when evidence of the anti-party accusation against them is proven.

The group stated that the alleged plan to replace Alabere is also in reaction to a report on agitation that the senatorial district of the late party chairman, Fatai Adam should use their time.

The Council of Young Leaders in PDP in the statement noted that it considered the agitation of the Northern senatorial district for chairman tenable owing to the conventional rotational practice of the Southwest zone positions by the party.

Recall that Alabere was appointed as the acting chairman of the Ondo state PDP a few months ago following the suspension of the former chairman of the party late Fatai Adams.

The group in the statement however called on the party elders and the flag bearer to think beyond self-serving agendas and form a formidable force capable of rescuing Ondo State.

“We consider it imperative at this time in our political history as members of the Council of Young Leaders in PDP, Ondo State to address this press briefing with the intent of stating our position on some issues brewing in our Party and the potential danger the execution of such poses to the chances of our party in the coming gubernatorial election.

“It has come to our notice that some elders within the party for reasons best known to them have etched out plans to replace the acting state party chairman, Tola Alabere, this plan according to the report was predicated on the agitation that the Senatorial district of our party’s late chairman, Hon Fatai Adam, should use out their time and that some members of the State Working Committee are culpable of anti-party activities.

“While we considered this agitation of the Northern senatorial district for chairman tenable owing to the conventional rotational practice of the Southwest zone positions by the party, we frown at the timing and the tactics deployed to see out the execution.

“PDP as a political party is guided by laws as enshrined in its constitution and its modus operandi is unambiguous in the case of eventualities like the death of a state chapter chairman.

“Section 24(1a) of the PDP Constitution empowers the State Executive Committee (SEC) to identify and resolve political, social, and economic issues of concern to the state.

“Section 24(1b) also states that the State Execute Committee (SEC) shall undertake general administration of the Party in the State and implement the decision of the State Congress, and the directives of the National Working Committee, NWC The National Executive Committee (NEC), and the National Convention.

“The above sections of our constitution repose the responsibility of special interventions as we have it in our state today in the State Executive Council and to the best of our knowledge, the State Executive Council hasn’t sanctioned any call to replace the State Chairman on the ground of sectional agitation.

“We are also aware that the National Working Committee in their wisdom has directed that the status quo in Ondo State remains pending when elections will be conducted, by the above state section (1b) the State Executive Committee is compelled to implement this directive.

“It’s therefore important for us as adherent to the dictate of the Constitution state that any process of replacement devoid of the above process is a coup aimed at snatching the soul of our Party.

“We have, as a party been a victim of litigations in previous elections, we knew how the post-2016 legal tussle scuttled our chances and won’t want a repeat of relating scenario as we go into the governorship election.

“On the issue of anti-party culpability, our tolerance for disloyalty and effort-sabotaging tendencies is zero when proven to be true, but as it stands, the agitation is just a mere accusation that can not hold waters as it seems part of the plot to edge out the chairman from office.

“We would appreciate it if evidence of anti-party culpability could be availed to the public to substantiate the claims, but till then, we, the Council of Young Leaders in PDP, Ondo State pass a vote of confidence on the current State Working Committee and pledge our support to them pending when evidence of the anti-party accusation against them is proven.

“We call on our leaders and the flag bearer of the party at this crucial time to think beyond self-serving agendas and form a formidable force capable of rescuing Ondo State from the bandwagon of misrule championed by the APC,” the statement concluded.