By Oluwagbemiga Toye
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ekiti State Chapter, loyal to former Governor Ayo Fayose has reaffirmed that Dr. Oluwole Oluyede is not its recognised gubernatorial candidate, urging him to align with the party’s established structure within the state rather than any external or national faction.
Speaking at a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Friday, the State Chairman, Omolase Lanre, maintained that the party remains a disciplined and constitutionally guided institution with a clearly defined leadership hierarchy from the grassroots to the national level.
Lanre stated that although the PDP is preparing for the next election cycle, including the governorship poll, Dr. Oluyede has not formally communicated his acceptance of, or recognition by, the duly constituted leadership of the party in Ekiti State. He explained that recent judgments of the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division, and the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, affirmed the legitimacy of the party’s leadership structure, a position further strengthened by resolutions reached at the party’s convention.
According to him, the motion moved by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan led to the ratification of the Ekiti State Working Committee, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also recognised the party’s National Executive Committee by uploading the names of its officials on its platform.
The party chairman said despite the developments, Dr. Oluyede remains aligned with a faction associated with Atiku Abubakar, which he said has been restrained from parading itself as the national leadership of the party. He stressed that the PDP’s structure in Ekiti State remains supreme for all aspirants seeking to contest under its platform, insisting that no individual can bypass the state leadership under any guise.
“Anyone seeking to contest on the platform of the PDP in Ekiti must first submit to the authority of the party at the state level. Alignment with any external or national faction cannot substitute for proper integration into the Ekiti State structure,” Lanre said.
The chairman therefore called on Dr. Oluyede to formally align with the PDP structure in Ekiti State, reintegrate his supporters from the ward level upward, and subject himself to the authority of the State Working Committee. He also cautioned the public and stakeholders against recognising any statements or activities carried out in the name of the PDP outside the control of its duly recognised leadership in the state.
Lanre further clarified that former Acting Governor, Rt. Hon. Tunji Odeyemi, is not the chairman of the PDP in Ekiti State, warning that any group operating under such claims would not be acknowledged by the party.
The party chairman expressed confidence that adherence to its state structure would strengthen unity, discipline, and cohesion among members ahead of the forthcoming elections.
