Linus Effiong, Abiodun Nejo, and Ademola Adegbite
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has successfully conducted state congresses across Bayelsa, Ekiti, and Oyo states, electing new chairmen and working committee members to lead the party in those states.
The exercise, which held over the weekend, followed the Appeal Court judgment that invalidated the November 15 and 16 national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, which had produced Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as national chairman. The Wike-backed faction, operating through its caretaker committee, has been conducting ward and zonal congresses in preparation for its proposed national convention scheduled for March 28 in Abuja.
Bayelsa Congress
In Bayelsa State, Alabh Turnah emerged as the state chairman through a consensus arrangement at the newly inaugurated PDP secretariat in Yenagoa. The congress was conducted by an electoral panel led by Austin Sor and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission under heavy security presence.
Other members of the 20-man State Working Committee elected included Ato Ebibofayei as secretary and Biobelemoyei Goniwari as treasurer, among others.
Speaking after his emergence, Turnah expressed confidence in the party’s future in the state.
“We thank our delegates, the panel, and the INEC observers. I accept this mandate on behalf of my team and the newly elected State Working Committee,” he said.
Turnah described the victory as a sacred trust. “We see it as a sacred mandate freely given to us by our people, and we will not betray the confidence reposed in us.”
He assured party members of the new leadership’s dedication to service and dismissed any notion that the PDP had become an opposition party in Bayelsa.
“PDP is Bayelsa and Bayelsa is PDP. Do not be deceived by claims that PDP is now an opposition party in Bayelsa. That may be theoretical, but in practical terms, PDP remains the majority party in the state,” Turnah declared.
Looking ahead to future elections, he expressed strong optimism about the party’s prospects. “The same God that intervened for PDP in Bayelsa in 2019 is still the same God today. By 2027, under our leadership, PDP will make a strong statement and meet the expectations of our people. Creek Haven belongs to PDP.”
Ekiti Congress
In Ekiti State, Mr. Lanre Omolase emerged as the state chairman of the PDP faction backed by Wike and former governor Ayodele Fayose. The congress produced a full State Working Committee tasked with repositioning the party.
Following his inauguration in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, Omolase expressed readiness to rebuild the party and restore its winning ways in the state. He called for commitment from all party members.
“I will lead the party with the fear of God and ensure that the party regains its lost grounds in the state. We have all it takes to achieve that,” Omolase stated.
Also speaking at the event, a member of the PDP National Caretaker Working Committee, Bisi Kolawole, acknowledged the party’s recent internal challenges but expressed confidence in ongoing efforts to restore unity.
“No doubt, our party has experienced internal challenges in recent times, but the leadership at the national level is working diligently to restore unity, strengthen internal democracy, and rebuild the confidence of members across the country,” Kolawole said.
He revealed that extensive consultations were underway among party leaders and stakeholders. “Consultations are ongoing among party leaders and stakeholders to ensure that the PDP emerges stronger and more united.”
Kolawole charged the newly elected executives with specific responsibilities. “I charge the newly elected state executives to remain loyal to the party, respect its elders, and work collectively to move the party forward.”
He emphasized the importance of discipline and commitment, stating, “Discipline, unity, and commitment to the party’s ideals are necessary for PDP to regain its strength and effectively play its role as a major political force in the country.”
The Chairman of the PDP State Congress Committee, Philip Adebiyi, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise and outlined the next steps. “The next step is to bring all party members together for reconciliation,” he said, adding that the leadership was already working in that direction.
Other members elected to the Ekiti State Working Committee include Babatunde Akande as Deputy Chairman, Chief Tunde Ogunleye as Secretary, Femi Philips as Publicity Secretary, Lawrence Odunayo as Organising Secretary, Olugbenga Agbede as Legal Adviser, and Mrs. Ayodele Oluwatoyin Bosede as Women Leader. The committee also includes Banji Femi as Youth Leader, Gani Bakare as Financial Secretary, Anike Folasade as Treasurer, and Ajayi Joseph as Auditor. Sunday Olowolafe, Adeniyi Adefemi, and Segun Olatunji emerged as Senatorial Chairmen for South, Central, and North respectively.
Oyo Congress
In Oyo State, the faction elected Abdulrahman Akinoso, a lecturer in the Department of Food Technology at the University of Ibadan, as state chairman. The congress took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, with a heavy security presence and INEC officials in attendance.
Other elected officers included Abiola Olaonipekun as Secretary, Latifah Latifu as Women Leader, and A. Adeleke as Youth Leader.
Delivering his inaugural remarks, Akinoso outlined the immediate priorities of the new leadership. He stated that preparations for the 2027 general elections would be the party’s primary focus and urged members to set aside internal differences.
“Party executives must focus on coordinating party activities, promoting harmony among members, and ensuring victory at the polls,” Akinoso said.
He provided details on the party’s upcoming activities. “Our immediate assignment is to key into the timetable for the 2027 general election as released by INEC. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of the party, our e-membership registration will commence next week, and we must fully participate in the membership drive.”
Akinoso called for unity and collective effort. “We must set aside intra-party differences and concentrate our resources on promoting the party. Through consultations and dialogue, we Will work together to achieve victory in future elections.”
Reaction from Turaki-Led NWC
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Turaki-led National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, issued a statement on Saturday cautioning against the actions of the Wike faction. He warned that the alleged dissolution of state excos in Ogun, Ekiti, and Ondo states could hinder ongoing reconciliation efforts.
The statement read, “This dissolution, which is illegal and unwarranted, is an affront to the proposed reconciliation for which talks are underway. This further attempt to deepen divisions at the state and other levels is null, void and of no effect whatsoever.”
Ememobong urged party members to ignore the faction’s activities. “We urge the state chapters, all officers of the party at the local government and ward levels, and indeed the public, to discountenance the said notice and continue to exercise their lawful duties.”
He clarified the party leadership’s position on reconciliation. “For the avoidance of doubt, our desire for peace must be understood in the context of the need for the salvation of the party for the purpose of the forthcoming elections, and not misconstrued otherwise.”
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