A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has pledged to reposition the party in Ekiti State and restore it to electoral relevance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commitment was made during the inauguration of members of the State Working Committee held on Saturday in Ado Ekiti.
Speaking at the event, the newly inaugurated State Chairman of the faction, Mr. Lanre Omolase, assured party members that the leadership would work tirelessly to rebuild the PDP’s structure and regain its lost political ground in the state.
Omolase, a close ally of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, emphasised the need for unity and dedication among party faithful. He pledged to lead with integrity and commitment, stressing that the party possesses the capacity to reclaim its political strength.
“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.
Also addressing delegates at the congress, a member of the PDP National Caretaker Working Committee, Bisi Kolawole, acknowledged that the party had faced internal divisions but expressed confidence that ongoing reconciliation efforts would restore cohesion.
Kolawole, who previously contested the Ekiti governorship election on the PDP platform, stated that the party’s national leadership was actively working to rebuild its organisational framework and restore the confidence of members nationwide.
“No doubt, our party has experienced internal challenges in recent times, but the leadership at the national level is working diligently to restore unity, strengthen internal democracy, and rebuild the confidence of members across the country,” he said.
According to him, consultations are ongoing among party leaders and stakeholders with the aim of ensuring that the PDP emerges stronger and more united ahead of future electoral contests.
He urged the newly elected state executives to remain loyal to the party, respect its elders, and work collectively in the interest of rebuilding the PDP as a formidable political force.
Similarly, the Chairman of the PDP State Congress Committee, Philip Adebiyi, commended the peaceful conduct of the congress and reiterated that party leadership remained committed to strengthening the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.
Adebiyi noted that reconciliation among party members remained a key priority moving forward.
“The next step is to bring all party members together for reconciliation,” he said, adding that ongoing efforts were focused on restoring harmony within the party.
Other members inaugurated into the State Working Committee include Babatunde Akande as Deputy Chairman; Chief Tunde Ogunleye as Secretary; Femi Philips as Publicity Secretary; Lawrence Odunayo as Organising Secretary; Olugbenga Agbede as Legal Adviser; and Mrs. Ayodele Bosede as Women Leader.
Also sworn in were Banji Femi as Youth Leader, Gani Bakare as Financial Secretary, Anike Folasade as Treasurer, Ajayi Joseph as Auditor, and Senatorial Chairmen—Sunday Olowolafe (South), Adeniyi Adefemi (Central), and Segun Olatunji (North).
Meanwhile, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party at the national level are continuing efforts to reconcile the rival factions within the party.
The internal crisis involves the PDP National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki and the Wike-backed National Caretaker Committee headed by Samuel Anyanwu.
In Ekiti State, the Wike-aligned faction is led by Fayose, while the PDP governorship candidate for the June 20 election emerged from the Turaki-led faction, underscoring the deep divisions within the party’s structure in the state.
Despite the internal tensions, party leaders say ongoing consultations and reconciliation efforts are expected to unify the PDP ahead of the next electoral cycle.
