By Oluwagbemiga Toye
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has elected new state executives to pilot the affairs of the party following its congress held in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday.
At the congress, Hon. Lanre Omolase, a close ally of former governor Ayodele Fayose, emerged as the State Chairman of the party, while a former Commissioner in the state, Chief Tunde Ogunleye, was elected as the State Secretary.
Other members include: Babatunde Akande as Deputy Chairman; Femi Philips as Publicity Secretary; Lawrence Odunayo as Organising Secretary; Olugbenga Agbede as Legal Adviser; Mrs. Ayodele Oluwatoyin Bosede as Women Leader; Banji Femi as Youth Leader; Gani Bakare as Financial Secretary; Anike Folasade as Treasurer; Ajayi Joseph as Auditor; while Sunday Olowolafe, Adeniyi Adefemi and Segun Olatunji emerged as Senatorial Chairmen for Ekiti South, Ekiti Central and Ekiti North respectively.
The congress was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and representatives of the party’s national leadership. The exercise was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere and witnessed the presence of delegates from across the sixteen local government who unanimously affirmed the newly elected executives.
In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated chairman, Hon. Omolase, said the primary mission of the new executive was to rebuild the party’s structure and reposition it to win future elections in the state. He assured party members that the leadership under him would focus on genuine reconciliation among aggrieved members while opening the doors of the party to new entrants. According to him, the era of political complacency within the party was over, urging members to embark on aggressive membership mobilisation to strengthen the PDP across the state.
Speaking on the forthcoming June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, Omolase stated that the new executive would be willing to work with the party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Oluyede, provided he reaches out to the leadership of the party. He called on members to close ranks and work collectively to reposition the party for future electoral victories. Omolase also expressed appreciation to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and former Ekiti State Governor, Fayose, for their continuous commitment and support toward sustaining the PDP.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Congress, Dr. Adebiyi Abiodun Philip, explained that the exercise followed provisions of the Electoral Act which, according to him, encouraged consensus arrangements in party congresses.
Philip said the process allowed members to affirm candidates who had emerged through consultations among party leaders and stakeholders. He urged the newly elected executives to avoid pursuing personal interests and instead focus on promoting unity, growth and progress within the party.
The congress chairman further advised the new leadership to always consult widely with party leaders and stakeholders in the management of the party’s affairs.
Also speaking, a stalwart of the party and member of the National Caretaker Working Committee, Otunba Bisi Kolawole, said efforts were already underway to rebuild the party’s fractured structure and reposition it for greater political success. Kolawole, who was the PDP governorship candidate in the 2022 election, acknowledged that the party had experienced internal challenges in recent times but expressed optimism that the national leadership was working to restore unity and strengthen internal democracy.
He said consultations were ongoing among key stakeholders to ensure that the party emerges stronger and more united ahead of future political contests. Kolawole charged the newly elected state executives to remain loyal to the party, respect its leaders and work collectively to move the PDP forward. According to him, discipline, unity and commitment to the ideals of the party remain critical for the PDP to regain its strength and effectively play its role as a major opposition political force in the country.
When asked whether he would work with the party’s candidate in the June 20 governorship election, Kolawole said he was not aware of any such candidate or ongoing campaign activities but expressed confidence that the new executive would address internal issues through sincere reconciliation.
He also commended the leadership roles played by Wike and Fayose, describing their political experience and support as instrumental in returning the party structure to its members.