The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has moved the venue of its South-West congress away from Oyo to Osun State, in an apparent move to thwart the preference of Governor Seyi Makinde to hold the event at his Ibadan base.

The party also shifted the date of the congress of the zone from April 10 to April 12.

This was revealed in a tweet by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan on Thursday.

The move comes amid brickbats between Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo and former governor Ayo Fayose over leadership of the party in the zone.

The zonal congress has been subject to many controversies with the party hierarchy postponing the Congress at least twice before. Mr Makinde had also threatened dire consequences if the national organ sides with his detractors to truncate the congress.

The party’s National Legal Adviser, Emmanuel Enoidem, has been accused of collaborating with the Fayose camp to mount a ruse legal challenge against the zonal Congress.

In the tweet by Mr Ologbondiyan, he disclosed that the decision to shift the Congress to Osogbo was reached after an extensive discussion by the NWC.

“The South-West Congress is scheduled for Monday, April 12, 2021,” he added.

Mr Ologbondiyan also told Peoples Gazette that the decision of the committee “is consequent upon what was arrived at at the reconciliatory meeting held with stakeholders from the South-West,” adding that the party will soon come out with a formal statement.

The PDP had yesterday disclosed moves by the NWC to settle the rift over between Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, so as to further strengthen the party.