Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have failed to persuade Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a former Osun State governor, to withdraw his candidacy from his preferred position at the party’s National Convention as of the time voting commenced on Saturday.
Oyinlola, a candidate for the position of Deputy National Chairman (South), is contesting the position with a former Oyo State deputy governor, Taofeek Arapaja.
Although stakeholders, especially the governors elected on the PDP platform, have adopted Arapaja as consensus candidate for the position, Oyinlola has vowed to resist.
Mrs Inna Ciroma, who is contesting for Deputy National Chairman (North), has also stuck to her guns, resisting pressure to step down for her male contender, Umar Damagum.
Ciroma and Damagum are from Yobe State to which the position was micro-zoned.
However, two candidates for the position of National Auditor, Samben Nwosu and Mrs Chibuogwu Benson-Oraelosi, have withdrawn from the contest.
Nwosu’s letter of withdrawal was read at the convention venue by Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri. On the other hand, Oraelosi announced her withdrawal on the podium while voting was in progress.
Their withdrawal left Chief Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel as the consensus candidate for the position
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