By Leye Igbabo, Akure
The Ondo State Working Committee members of the PDP now hold meetings under the mango tree following the destruction of the party’s secretariat by hoodlums who set ablaze the office and vehicles last week.
The party was having the meeting when Online Media practitioners paid sympathy visit to the leadership over its burnt Secretariat. The Association was led by its Secretary, Mr. Temitope Adedeji.
The State PDP Chairman, Hon. Fatai Adams thanked them for identifying with the party at this trying moment describing the attack on the Secretariat as ill-considered and shocking.
“Gentlemen, you have seen the level of damage done here. The attack on our Secretariat was ill-considered and really shocking”.
Continuing, Adams said “There was no reason for that at all. We were not the ones responsible for police brutality, they packed out all our office furniture before setting them on fire. They did not see anything incriminating there, we did not hoard palliatives and wondered why they could still go ahead to set the the Secretariat ablaze”.
“Our 30 seater coaster bus and other vehicles belonging to party members and security attached to the Secretariat were all burnt to ashes. Those who kept their wares at the Secretariat are still counting their losses. They did not leave a pin for us. We are utterly shocked and pained by this mindless and irresponsible act” Adams lamented.
The State Chairman however used the opportunity to solicit help from well-meaning Nigerians in order to rebuild the burnt Secretariat. “You can see that we are having the State Working Committee meeting under the mango tree now. We have no offices for that again. We are not in government ,we do not receive grant or subvention from any quarters. We run the Secretariat through personal sacrifice and sometimes, donations from generous party members”.
“The losses here are huge and cannot just be covered by these paltry donations. I am calling on well-meaning Nigerians to come to our aid”. The PDP Chairman concluded.
Responding, the leader of the group, Temitope Adedeji said “We have assessed the situation and we have seen that the losses are very huge. We cannot but appreciate your display of uncommon maturity in the face of this unprovoked attack”.
“We feel your pains and we deem it fit to sympathize and empathize with the leaders and members of the party. We will continue to appeal to the party to maintain and sustain the calm so as to allow peace reign supreme. We are trusting God to send help to your party as quickly as possible”.
Other members of the State Working Committee who were present at the Secretariat are the State Deputy Chairman, Apostle Tola Alabere, the State Secretary Barr. Oluseye Olujimi, State- Vice Chairmen, for Ondo Central, North and South, Hon. Dayo Awude, Hon. Bobby Omotosho and Elder Fatope respectively.
Others include the State Women Leader Hon. Kemi Adesanya, State Youth Leader Mr. Folorunsho Makinde, State Financial Secretary Hon. Boluwaji Bamidele, State Legal Officer Barr. Awofade and the State Organising Secretary Mr. Dare Akinwale.
*Leye Igbabo is of the Directorate of Media and Publicity, PDP Ondo State.