By Obinna Uballa
The deepening crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated over the weekend as a faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, moved against the camp of Governor Seyi Makinde by installing parallel party executives in Oyo, his state , and other states, including Ekiti and Bayelsa .
The development followed a judgment of the Court of Appeal which invalidated the November 15 and 16 convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, that produced Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as national chairman.
Ahead of its planned 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 proceeding to hold state congresses across several states at the weekend.
With the emergence of new state executives, preparations are underway for the anticipated national convention in the Federal Capital Territory.
In Bayelsa State, Alabh Turnah emerged as the state chairman of the party through a consensus arrangement 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 heavy security presence.
Other members of the 20-man State Working Committee elected at the congress include Ato Ebibofayei as secretary and Biobelemoyei Goniwari as treasurer, among others.
In his acceptance speech, Turnah thanked delegates and party stakeholders, describing the mandate as a responsibility to rebuild and strengthen the party in the state.
“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 expressed optimism that the party would reclaim political strength ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In Ekiti State, Lanre Omolase emerged as chairman of the PDP faction backed by Wike and former governor Ayodele Fayose.
Speaking after his emergence in Ado Ekiti, Omolase said the new executive would focus on rebuilding the party and restoring it to electoral victory 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, said the leadership was working to rebuild the fractured structure of the party and restore confidence among members nationwide.
According to him, consultations were ongoing among party leaders and stakeholders to strengthen unity and reposition the party for future political success.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the PDP State Congress Committee, Philip Adebiyi, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the congress and said efforts were ongoing to reconcile aggrieved members.
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 was elected during the state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium amid tight security.
Other officers elected include Abiola Olaonipekun as secretary, Latifah Latifu as women leader, and A. Adeleke as youth leader.
Officials of INEC were also present at the congress.
In his inaugural remarks, Akinoso said the immediate focus of the party would be preparations for the 2027 general elections, urging members to set aside internal differences and strengthen the party through unity and mobilisation.
“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.
Meanwhile, the spokesman of the Turaki-led National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, warned that the alleged dissolution of state executives in Ogun, Ekiti and Ondo states by the Wike-backed faction could undermine ongoing reconciliation efforts.
In a statement on Saturday, Ememobong described the move as illegal and urged party members to disregard it.
“This dissolution, which is illegal and unwarranted, is an affront to the proposed reconciliation for which talks are underway. This further attempt to deepen divisions at the state and other levels is null, void and of no effect whatsoever,” the statement said.
He added that state chapters and party officers at local government and ward levels should continue to carry out their lawful duties while reconciliation efforts continue within the party.
