A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Chief Dayo Okondo, has turned down his appointment as a member of the Governing Council of the College of Education, Ikere Ekiti by Governor Ayo Fayose.
Okondo said he was not consulted before the appointment was made.
He told newsmen on Friday in his Ikere country home that membership of the College of Education Governing Council fell short of his status in the party, being a former Chairman, a founding father of the PDP and a party leader that brought Fayose into the party.
The PDP chieftain also lamented that Fayose had not assisted him on his failing health.
Okondo said: “Making me a board member falls short of what he should do. And if I have to take care of myself very well and take care of my health, I don’t know what membership of the college’s board would do for me.
“I can’t see how somebody who had served as a PDP Board of Trustees member will now be appointed a college’s board member. I was shocked by the appointment with my status and level of work that I did.
“I brought the party to the state and I brought Fayose into the party. I supported him wholeheartedly when others refused to support him and I ensured that he won the primaries and the election (in 2003).
“He has not visited me and he has not done anything about my health. I have been trying to see him and talk to him about my health but I have not succeeded.
“If I will reject it in totality, I want to see the governor first and I want him to reason with me that this appointment does not befit my status as a founding father of the party and as someone who contributed immensely to his political rise.
“I have been abandoned by the party. One of my sons, Tope Okondo, who was Obasanjo’s bodyguard, fell sick in Abuja and the situation I met him was very terrible.
“I tried to see if I could take him to India. I contacted (former Governor) Fayemi and he offered to assist. We took him to India where he spent two to three days and I thank him (Fayemi) for the gesture.
“If my own party (PDP) can treat me like this, it is unfortunate”.
Okondo urged his supporters in the PDP who are aggrieved by the treatment meted out to him to remain calm.
Okondo said: “I advise them not to leave because the situation will not be like this forever. After some time, things will change and whatever they want will be available.”
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