By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State is facing a leadership crisis, with two chairmen claiming leadership positions after parallel congresses were held on Saturday.
The faction loyal to 2023 governorship candidate Honourable Ladi Adebutu elected Abayomi Tella as state chairman, while the coalition led by Chief Jimi Adebisi Lawal, Honourable Abdulkadir Adekunle Akinlade, and Honourable Sikirulai Ogundele chose Ogundele as chairman.
The congresses also elected other executive members, including Sunday Solarin as secretary for the Adebutu group and Alhaji Salisu Abdulwaheed Oloruntola as secretary for the Lawal faction.
Additionally, Austin Oniyokor emerged as publicity secretary for the Lawal group, while Adebayo Kayode took on the role for the Adebutu camp.
This development follows disputes over ward and local government congresses held on August 31 and September 14. The party held parallel congresses across 236 wards and 20 local government areas, resulting in two sets of executives for each ward and local government area.
The crisis started from the alleged refusal to use authenticated registers from the PDP national leadership for the ward congress. The authenticated registers contain names of delegates to the Ward Congress, as outlined in Section 8 (10) of the PDP Constitution (amended in 2017).
The issue is now before the Federal High Court in Abeokuta, with a hearing scheduled for October 15, 2024.
On Friday, the court cautioned the party against undermining the judicial process. Justice Abiodun Adeyemi stated: “On the issue of preserving the RES… the RES in this matter is not perishable like food, nor is it irreparable like pulling down a building. The subject matter relates around party congress and recognition of members in compliance with certain laws. I am fully aware of the powers vested in the Court to set aside any act done outside the provisions of the law. I believe it is better for the Court not to make any positive orders until the issue of Jurisdiction is settled. Consequently, I admonish parties to take note of the fact that this Court is now fully seized of this matter and to refrain from taking any steps that will disturb the RES or undermine the integrity of the judicial process…”
This leadership dispute highlights the ongoing internal conflicts within the Ogun State PDP.