The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-West zone has elected new zonal working committee members tasked to steer the affairs of the opposition party in the zone.
The new members were elected during the zonal congres held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, on Thursday.
In a statement by the zonal publicity secretary, Akinloye Oyeniyi, the election was conducted in a show of unity and strength in the party.
According to the statement, elected officers included Deji Doherty, Chairman; Oluwole Omotaje, Secretary; Obe Gbolaro, Treasurer; David Adedamola, Legal Adviser; Gbadamosi Babatunde, Financial Secretary; and Mr Oyeniyi as the Zonal Publicity Secretary.
Others include Wale Ogunmodede, Adefemi Clement, Folake Marcus Oluwakayode, and Tolulope Awoniyi as youth leader.
Mr Oyeniyi stated that the congress was held in a cordial atmosphere, marking a crucial milestone in the party’s journey towards the 2027 general elections.
The statement also tasked the newly elected officers to play their role in mobilising support for the party in the South-West region.
Mr Oyeniyi noted that the congress demonstrated the party’s commitment to democracy and unity.
He added that stakeholders expressed optimism about its future and commended the national leadership of the party for the forthcoming national convention in Abuja starting from March 29 to 30.
“The congress commended the National Leader, His Excellency Nyesom Wike, the national leadership and South-West stakeholders of the party for holding forth this far and unanimously endorsed the forthcoming national convention at Abuja, to showcase PDP’s unity and strength as the largest opposition party”, Mr Oyeniyi added.
Expressing confidence that the party would emerge stronger from the forthcoming convention, he noted that the PDP was united and determined to reclaim power across boards in 2027.
The national convention is meant to be a significant event in the party’s calendar, as it will shape its campaign for the 2027 general elections.
The opposition is expected to unveil its next leadership and other key office holders at the convention.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde-backed faction of the Tanimu Turaki-led National Executive Committee of the party had resolved to appeal the recent Court of Appeal judgment on the party’s leadership crisis at the Supreme Court.
Addressing journalists at the end of the 103rd NEC meeting in Abuja on Friday, the faction’s national secretary, Ini Ememobong, stated the party had already entered the appeal and filed applications for an accelerated hearing to protect the party’s legal standing.
Mr Ememobong noted that the NEC meeting became necessary to deliberate and ratify various decisions taken by the NWC and the Board of Trustees (BoT).
“The NEC came to the agreement that the decisions were taken in utmost good faith and therefore, without any dissension, unanimously ratified those decisions. This is to let our teeming supporters know that the process of saving our party is on course; all hope is not lost,” he said.
Mr Ememobong clarified that the decision to approach the apex court did not affect the ongoing internal reconciliation efforts, insisting the party might withdraw the suit if agreeable terms were met between the contending factions.
“The bus has left the station; the train has left the station. While we have not yet arrived at the final destination of total reconciliation, milestones have been achieved. We are avoiding mutually-assured destruction so that our candidates will have a solid platform to run on.
“What we said is that the filing of this appeal does not inhibit the reconciliation processes. The moment agreeable terms are met, parties, I mean courts are usually very happy when parties approach them for discontinuance or withdrawal,” he added.
