Crisis in PDP: Tukur replaces Oyinlola as National Secretary

The battle for the soul of the Peoples Democratic Party intensified on Monday as President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Chairman, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, tried to outwit the PDP governors and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The National Secretary of the party and former Osun State Goveror, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has become the first major casualty of the power tussle. He was directed to step down by Tukur after a rancorous meeting of the party National Working Committe in Abuja on Monday.

Oyinlola is perceived to be a beneficiary of Obasanjo’s political structure while Tukur is known to have the support of the President.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had on Friday sacked Oyinlola as the PDP national secretary. The court had ruled on a case filed by the Ogun State chapter of the party, which alleged that he was not the valid candidate, as he was foisted on the South-West geopolitical zone by Obasanjo.

As the Monday NWC meeting rose, Tukur wrote a letter to the Deputy National Secretary of the party, Chief Solomon Onwe, asking him to step into Oyinlola’s shoes in acting capacity.

He also signed a statement in which he predicated his action on powers conferred on him by the PDP constitution.

Oyinlola, who also has the support of the PDP governors, was not at the Monday meeting.