A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has elected its executive members.
During a congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, in Ibadan, an academic from the Department of Food Technology at the University of Ibadan, Prof. Abdulrahman Akinoso, emerged as the chairman of the faction of the party in the state.
Other officers elected at the congress include Dr Abiola Olaonipekun (Secretary), Alhaja Latifah Latifu (Woman Leader), and Mr A. Adeleke (Youth Leader), alongside 38 other executive members.
The congress, which attracted party stakeholders, was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police and other security agencies.
The election was supervised by an Electoral Committee chaired by Prince Diran Odeyemi, with members including Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, and Mr Olumide Aguda, while Dr Phillips Adeniyi served as Secretary.
The congress, which was held amidst a heavy security presence, started around 12:30 PM and was rounded off in less than three hours, as all the Executive members emerged through affirmation.
Akinoso’s emergence, as gathered, revealed the lingering divisions within the PDP in Oyo State, where competing tendencies have continued to shape the party’s internal structure, and the formation of parallel factions loyal to different national power blocs reflects broader struggles within the party in the aftermath of the 2023 elections.
In his inaugural remarks, Akinoso declared that the immediate focus of the faction and the new executives is to reposition the party for the 2027 General Elections, urging party members to set aside internal differences and concentrate on strengthening the party through unity and membership mobilisation.
Noting that unity among members was essential for the growth and electoral success of the party, he emphasised the importance of the party’s upcoming e-membership registration exercise, which is expected to expand the PDP’s grassroots base across the state.
Akinoso said: “Our immediate assignment is to key into the timetable for the 2027 General Elections 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 affirmed that a political party remains relevant only when it wins elections, urging members to prioritise collective interest over internal disagreements.
“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 stated.