Ewenla Denies PDP-APM Alliance, Reaffirms Loyalty to PDP, Denies Alliance With Wike Faction

…PDP Southwest Ex-officio challenges those alleging links with Wike faction to produce evidence

The Southwest Ex-officio of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Adedipe Dauda Ewenla, has dismissed reports linking him with the Wike faction of the party, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), or any PDP-APC political arrangement.

Ewenla, in a statement, described the reports as rumours and political speculation, stressing that he remained a bona fide member of the PDP and loyal to what he described as the authentic leadership and principles of the party.

He said he had never contemplated joining or supporting any political platform working against the interests and constitution of the PDP.

According to him, the speculation that he was planning to join or support the faction associated with former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, was completely unfounded.

Ewenla said he had consistently criticised the activities of the faction, particularly its alleged support for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he described as anti-party activities.

He said, “I am a PDP man, and my political interest remains with the Peoples Democratic Party.”

The PDP chieftain also challenged those circulating claims that he had met with leaders or representatives of the Wike faction to produce evidence of such meetings.

He specifically denied reports that he attended any meeting with the faction alongside his Local Government Chairman, Hon. Shodiya Isiaka, or that his Local Government Woman Leader, Chief Mrs. Mojisola Kariola, attended such a meeting on his behalf.

Ewenla challenged those making the allegations to publish any photographs, videos, messages, recordings, documents or other credible evidence showing that he had met or negotiated with the faction or any political platform seeking an alliance with the APM.

He further said he had not authorised anyone to represent him in any meeting or negotiate a political alliance with the APM or any other political party on his behalf.

On his discussion with his leader, Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George, Ewenla said he spoke with the PDP chieftain three days ago and that George made it clear that he was not interested in any APM alliance.

According to Ewenla, George also stated that anyone in Lagos claiming to support an APM alliance was acting in a personal capacity and did not represent his position.

He added that his understanding of George’s position was that any legitimate alliance involving the PDP would have to come from the national leadership of the party.

Ewenla therefore urged PDP members and the public not to associate him with any political arrangement outside the authentic PDP leadership.

He reiterated that he was not part of any PDP-APM alliance, had not joined the Wike faction, and had not authorised anyone to negotiate such an arrangement on his behalf.

He said his political position should be judged by his public statements, actions and political history rather than rumours and social media speculation.

Ewenla further warned those spreading the allegations to either present evidence or withdraw the claims.

He said he would continue to defend what he believed was right for the PDP and speak against activities he considered contrary to the party’s constitution and interests.

“I am PDP. I am not PDP-APC extension. I am not PDP-APM. I am not Wike’s faction,” he stated.