Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has urged unity and harmony within the Southwest chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to deepen and widen the electoral fortunes of the party.

A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed stated that Adeleke, who spoke in Ibadan at the commissioning of the South West Secretariat of the party named after the late zonal Vice Chairman, Hon Soji Adagunodo, appealed for closing of ranks in memory of the former party leader.

Adeleke said: “The significance of today’s event is the clarion call for unity and deeper brotherhood among PDP at home and abroad. We must forget the past of division and unite for the good of our dear party.

“It is better for us to fight each other inside Government House than outside. We must refocus attention on building strong administrative operational structures.

“With that, we can deploy for elections, retain our existing states and even expand our reach across the six zones of the federation,” the governor told top party leaders at the event.

Noting his mixed feelings at the event, the leader of PDP in Osun State said the gathering raised two feelings in him, both of which he described as significant.

“First is that we are opening a major administrative hub for the party in the South West at a very critical point in our national life.

“Second is that the naming of the Secretariat is after my late brother, Soji Adagunodo, a top political leader and ally from my state before his transition.

“I am therefore in a sober mood because our brother is not here with us to witness the honour being done to his memory. I pray God Almighty grant him eternal rest,” he noted at the event.

Speaking at the commissioning, the host, Governor Seyi Makinde reiterated Adeleke’s admonition for unity within the PDP noting the presence of warring parties of the past at the commissioning as a sign that the party is now one in the zone.

He advised that leaders and members of the party should forget the bickering of the past and join hands to expand the party’s victory in future contests, hailing Adeleke for his magnanimity and sense of responsibility.