Nyesom Wike-backed PDP faction has elected new state executives ahead of March 28 convention.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) believed to be loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has elected new party executives across several states, including Bayelsa State, Oyo State and Ekiti State, as internal party divisions continue ahead of the planned national convention.
The elections followed a ruling by the Court of Appeal that invalidated the November 15 and 16 PDP convention held in Ibadan, which produced Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as national chairman.
As part of preparations for its proposed national convention scheduled for March 28 in Abuja, the Wike-backed faction of the party’s caretaker committee had earlier conducted ward and zonal congresses before organising state congresses over the weekend.
In Bayelsa State, Alabh Turnah emerged as state chairman through a consensus arrangement during a congress held at the newly inaugurated PDP secretariat in Yenagoa.
The exercise was conducted by an electoral panel led by Austin Sor and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) amid 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.
In his acceptance speech, Turnah thanked delegates and party stakeholders, describing the mandate as a sacred trust.
“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 said.
He also expressed confidence that the party would reclaim political dominance by 2027.
In Ekiti State, Lanre Omolase emerged as chairman of the PDP faction backed by Wike and former governor Ayodele Fayose.
Speaking after his emergence at the inauguration in Ado Ekiti, Omolase pledged to rebuild the party and restore its electoral strength in the state.
“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,” he said.
A member of the PDP National Caretaker Working Committee, Bisi Kolawole, acknowledged that the party had experienced internal challenges but said the national leadership was working to restore unity and rebuild confidence among members.
He urged the newly elected executives to remain loyal to the party and promote discipline and unity.
Also speaking, the chairman of the PDP State Congress Committee, Philip Adebiyi, said reconciliation efforts were underway to unite members after the 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.
Akinoso emerged during the congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium amid tight security.
Other elected officers included Abiola Olaonipekun as secretary, Latifah Latifu as women leader, and A. Adeleke as youth leader.
In his remarks, Akinoso said the immediate focus of the party would be preparations for the 2027 general elections, urging members to set aside internal differences.
“Our immediate assignment is to key into the timetable for the 2027 general election as released by INEC. Our e-membership registration will commence next week, and we must fully participate in the membership drive,” he said.
Warning from Turaki-led leadership
Meanwhile, the faction of the party aligned with Turaki has warned that the dissolution of state executives by the Wike-backed group could undermine ongoing reconciliation efforts.
In a statement, the spokesman of the Turaki-led National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, described the move as illegal and capable of deepening divisions within the party.
“This dissolution, which is illegal and unwarranted, is an affront to the proposed reconciliation for which talks are underway,” he said.
He urged state chapters and party officials at all levels to disregard the notice and continue to perform their lawful duties as the PDP leadership seeks to resolve internal disputes ahead of future elections.
