Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in South-West Nigeria met at the weekend in Lagos to reconcile warring factions ahead of the forthcoming convention of the party.

The warring factions are from three states of Lagos, Osun and Oyo State chapters.

It had in attendance prominent members of the party in the region including Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo and Senator Buruji Kashamu representing Ogun East Senatorial district. The trio, it was learnt, facilitated the reconciliation meeting.

Leaders of the party who spoke on the importance of the meeting said it became imperative for the stakeholders to close ranks ahead of the convention scheduled for next month in Port Harcourt.

The two factions were represented at the meeting which lasted till Friday night.

The facilitators asked the gladiators to sheathe their swords to ensure that the South-West PDP present delegates and candidates for the convention.

The zone, it was learnt, had indicated interest in producing the next national chairman of the Party given that the presidential ticket had been zoned to the north.

Fayose who briefed newsmen at the end of the talks, stated that a considerable progress had been made in bringing warring factions in the three states together.
 
He said: "This is a united party. So we have encouraged that they should all come together to have one list as delegates to the convention and it must not come from a group. It must come from the two groups and where they don't have group, all leaders must sit together to come up with their list so that they can have their names in the convention brochure".

Fayose said delegates from the states making up the region would support any individual who has "what it takes" to emerge as the chairman.

He added, "We are happy that we have made considerable progress. We have to allow this system to emerge and produce the leaders of the party. The presidential flag bearer for 2019 has been zoned to the north and it is not going to be limited to a zone.

"The north is meant to produce a flag bearer and the south is going to produce the national chairman.

"And as an individual, I want to believe whosoever emerges as the party chairman should be accepted by all. If I get to the convention ground at that time and I see that you have what it takes to do it, I will tell delegates from Ekiti State to support you".