Dotun Babayemi's Purported Expulsion: Perpetrators are fake, says authentic Ward Excos

The executive committee members of Peoples Democratic Party in Ward 2, Otun Balogun, Gbongan, headquarters of Ayedaade Local Government Council Area of Osun State has nullified the expulsion of a governorship aspirant in the party, Omooba Dotun Babayemi over alleged anti-party activities, disclosing that those who claimed to be executive members of the ward and had last week announced the expulsion of Omooba Dotun Babayemi were illegal and not recognised by the law.

Addressing a press conference at PDP Local Government Secretariat, Oke Church, Gbongan, the Secretary of PDP Ward 02, Otun Balogun, Adekunle Nurudeen, described Babayemi’s sack as a facade and nullity, adding that the allegations of anti-party activities levelled against the gubernatorial aspirant were mere fabrications.

The secretary who was surrounded by other exco members at the press conference stated:
“As a result of unfolding scenario within our great party, PDP, especially as it concerns our Ward, Otun Balogun Ward 2, where some external forces have surreptitiously crept in with a view to unsettling us through their overt and covert sinister moves, we are compelled to note the following;

“That the purported expulsion of Omooba Dotun Babayemi, the torchbearer of the PDP in Osun by some members of the party illegally holding themselves out as Ward Executives in this Ward, especially having been compromised by some external forces, is a facade and a nullity.

"That it is only a valid and duly-elected Ward Executives that can commence a Disciplinary process by virtue of Section 57 of the Peoples Democratic Party Constitution, 2017 as amended.

“That the persons who claimed to be the Ward 2 Executive Committee upon which they purportedly carried out the alleged expulsion of Omooba Dotun Babayemi, usurped the powers of the Ward 2 Executive Committee.

“That the authentic and valid Ward 2 Executive Committee of the Party was confirmed by a valid and subsisting Court Order on the 3rd of March,2022 and subsequently re-affirmed on the 10th of March,2022.

“That the following ordinary PDP members from Ward 2,namely; Chief Julius Awodeji, Hon Isiaka Rabiu, Bukayo Ogunleye and Lekan Adegbenle etc, who purportedly expelled Omooba Dotun Babayemi as Ward 2 Executive Committee, were not the duly-elected Ward 2 Executive who were recognized and authenticated by a court of competent jurisdiction on the 3rd of March,2022 and re-affirmed on the 10th of March,2022 in Suit No: HIJ/6/2022.
“That the said purported Disciplinary Proceedings and the subsequent expulsion of Omooba Dotun Babayemi by persons not recognised by the PDP Constitution and valid court order is the greatest fraud and albeit void ab initio and of no legal consequences.

“That as a result, the whole exercise was procedurally wrong as the Constitution of party was flagrantly abused and not adhered to.

“That to this effect, all the aforementioned PDP members who partook in this illegal charade are hereby suspended from the party pending the constitution of a Disciplinary Committee to evaluate their actions and that necessary steps in line with the Constitution of our great party PDP, are taken.

“That allegations of anti-party activities levelled against Omooba Dotun Babayemi are mere fabrications and imaginations of his traducers just to achieve their sinister motives.

“That we thank and commend Omooba Dotun Babayemi for working relentlessly for the victory of the party at the last governorship election held on the 16th of July, 2022 and for his endless investment in the party.

“That to this end, all members and executive of the party at Otun Balogun Ward 2 do reiterate our unalloyed support and loyalty to Omooba Dotun Babayemi for all actions he has taken so far to make the PDP a great party in Osun state.

“Above all, we implore all members of our party to continue to be law-abiding by ensuring that peace prevails at all times in Ayedaade PDP and the state at large."

Speaking after the conference, a party leader in Ward 3, Gbongan, Mr Adelani Ajanaku, said the removal of Omooba Babayemi was a misplaced decision which took many party faithful aback.