A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, believed to be loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, elected party executives across states, including Bayelsa, Oyo, and Ekiti, over the weekend.
The development followed the Appeal Court judgment, which invalidated the November 15 and 16 convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, which produced Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as national chairman.
In its plan to organise its convention on March 28, in Abuja, the Wike-backed faction of the caretaker committee of the party had carried out wards and zonal congresses, while it conducted state congresses across states at the weekend.
With the emergence of the state executives of the party, the state is getting set for the national convention slated for March 28 in Abuja.
In Bayelsa State, Alabh Turnah emerged as the state chairman of the party through a consensus arrangement held at the newly inaugurated PDP secretariat in Yenagoa.
The congress, conducted by an electoral panel led by Austin Sor, was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission amid a heavy security presence.
Other members of the 20-man State Working Committee elected at the congress included Ato Ebibofayei as secretary and Biobelemoyei Goniwari as treasurer, among others.
Turnah, in his acceptance speech, said the party was determined to reclaim governance of 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.
“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 said.
Turnah assured party members that the new leadership would serve with dedication and commitment.
“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,” he stated.
He expressed optimism about the party’s chances in future elections.
“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,” he declared.
In Ekiti State, Mr Lanre Omolase emerged as state chairman of the PDP group backed by Wike and former governor of the state, Ayodele Fayose.
Omolase, speaking after his emergence, expressed readiness to rebuild PDP in Ekiti State and restore it to winning ways.
He said the new exco was set for the task of repositioning the party in the state and called for commitment among 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 said during the inauguration in Ado Ekiti on Saturday.
A PDP National Caretaker Working Committee member, Bisi Kolawole, said plans were ongoing to rebuild the fractured structure of the party and reposition it for future political success.
“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.
“Consultations are ongoing among party leaders and stakeholders to ensure that the PDP emerges stronger and more united.
“I charge the newly elected state executives to remain loyal to the party, respect its elders, and work collectively to move the party forward.
“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,” Kolawole said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the PDP State Congress Committee, Philip Adebiyi, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the congress.
“The next step is to bring all party members together for reconciliation,” he said, adding that the leadership was working in that direction.
Other members of the State Working Committee are Babatunde Akande, Deputy Chairman; Chief Tunde Ogunleye, Secretary; Femi Philips, Publicity Secretary; Lawrence Odunayo, Organising Secretary; Olugbenga Agbede, Legal Adviser; and Mrs Ayodele Oluwatoyin Bosede, Women Leader.
They also include Banji Femi, Youth Leader; Gani Bakare, Financial Secretary; Anike Folasade, Treasurer; Ajayi Joseph, Auditor; and Sunday Olowolafe, Adeniyi Adefemi, and Segun Olatunji as Senatorial Chairmen for South, Central, and North, respectively.
In Oyo State, the party elected Abdulrahman Akinoso, a lecturer in the Department of Food Technology, University of Ibadan, as state chairman.
Akinoso was elected during the party’s state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, amid heavy security presence.
Other elected officers include Abiola Olaonipekun (Secretary), Latifah Latifu (Women Leader), and A. Adeleke (Youth Leader).
At the congress, INEC officials were also in attendance.
In his inaugural remarks, Akinoso said the immediate focus of the party would be preparations for the 2027 general elections.
He urged members to set aside internal differences and strengthen the party through unity and membership mobilisation.
“Party executives must focus on coordinating party activities, promoting harmony among members, and ensuring victory at the polls.
“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.
“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,” he said.
Earlier, the spokesman of the Turaki-led NWC, Ini Ememobong, in a statement on Saturday, had cautioned that the alleged dissolution of the state excos in Ogun, Ekiti, and Ondo states by Wike’s faction could hinder the reconciliation process.
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.
“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.
“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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