• Ogundele-faction kicks

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has written the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, recognizing the Tella Abayomi led faction of the Party in Ogun State.

In a letter dated October 10, 2024 and signed by the Acting National Chairman and Secretary of the party, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum and Senator Samuel Anyanwu respectively, the Party introduced the 39man State Executive Committee (SEC) to the Chairman of the Commission.

Other executive members include Ogunremi Abiodun, Deputy Chairman; Solarin Sunday, Secretary; Taiwo Fadiu, State Treasurer; Obanewa Olumuyiwa, Legal Adviser; Lamina Mushafau, Financial Secretary; and Arc. Kayode Adebayo, Publicity Secretary.

Others are: Orisadare Alomi, State Auditor; Ogunyemi Kayode, Organising Secretary; Odedele Titilola, Women’s Leader; Oyejide Sunkanmi, Youth Leader; amongst others.

The Party also introduced 20 local government party chairmen elected by a faction led by Tella.

The letter was also copied to the Ogun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, and Ogun INEC.

The letter read, “We write to officially inform the Commission of thte newly elected State Executive Committee members of our party in Ogun State. The Commission may recall that the leadership of our great Party had in April 2024 notified you of scheduled Congresses in 24 (Twenty-Four) State chapters of our Party, Ogun State inclusive.

“Accordingly, the Congresses were conducted successfully and monitored by the Commission. Therefore, the National Working Committee (NWC) has, on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) after careful consideration of all results and reports, approved the results of the Congresses and all elected officers therefrom in-line with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (2017 as amended).

“The newly elected and inaugurated members of the Ogun State Executive Committee whose tenure shall be from 10/2024 – 10/2028.

“These elected officers shall be the Executives of our Party in their respective positions in Ogun State and shall hold office for four (4) years, pursuant to section 47(1) of our party’s constitution (2017 as amended).

“Kindly accord them the recognition and assistance needed to perform their roles according to the Constitution of our Party.”

Meanwhile, the Sikirulai Ogundele-led factional SEC has kicked against the decision of the NWC to recognize the Tella-led faction, saying the national body is aware such decision would be subjudice.

The faction, in a statement issued by the factional Publicity Secretary, Austin Oniyokor, said Tella-led exco is an illegitimate group, looking for ‘non-existing legitimacy’.

The statement read in part, “The attention of the Hon. (Dr.) Sikirulai Ogundele-led Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Executive Committee has been drawn to a misleading and unsubstantiated report that claimed that the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party has approved some impostors as members of the State Executive Committee (Exco) in Ogun State.

“Nothing could be farther from the truth. The NWC is fully aware of the issues bedevilling the congresses in Ogun State and knows that they are subjudice.

“What is more, no reputable media organisation has reported the purported approval. It was only published by one of their sponsored backstreet blogs - all in a futile bid to confer a non-existent legitimacy on their illegal Exco; without realising that you cannot build something on nothing and expect it to stand!

“The question remains: how could those whose names were NOT on the NWC-authenticated register vote and be voted for at the congresses?”

The group called on party faithful across the 236 Wards in the State “to remain resolute and focused on our commitment to a just and all-inclusive PDP.  Sooner than later, the truth will prevail over their lies.”