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.
Wike-backed PDP faction installs PDP excos in Bayelsa, Ekiti, Oyo
