The crisis within the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Saturday, with the emergence of two State Chairmen and separate state executive members.
The faction loyal to the 2023 governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, held their congress at the Abeokuta Sports Club, where Abayomi Tella was elected as State Chairman. Meanwhile, the coalition led by governorship aspirant Chief Jimi Adebisi Lawal (JAL), Deputy Governorship candidate Hon. Abdulkadir Adekunle Akinlade, and immediate past State Chairman Hon. (Dr.) Sikirulai Ogundele, gathered at NeuGate Exclusive Hall, Agbeloba, Abeokuta, and re-elected Hon. (Dr.) Sikirulai Ogundele as their State Chairman.
While the Adebutu-led group chose Sunday Solarin as State Secretary, the Lawal faction selected Alhaji Salisu Abdulwaheed Oloruntola for the same position.
Both Ogundele and Solarin had previously served as the State Chairman and Secretary, but they now find themselves on opposing sides.
Additionally, the Lawal-led congress elected journalist Austin Oniyokor as State Publicity Secretary, while the Adebutu faction appointed Adebayo Kayode, an architect, to the same role.
This situation mirrors the other 36 state executive positions, where parallel congresses have resulted in two sets of elected officials.
The ongoing dispute stems from the Ward and Local Government Congresses held on August 31, 2024, and September 14, 2024, leading up to the state congress.
Parallel ward and local government congresses were conducted across all 236 wards and 20 local government areas in the state, with two major factions emerging: one led by Adebutu and the other a coalition of Lawal, Akinlade, and Ogundele.
Reports indicate that two sets of executives emerged for the 17 Ward Exco positions in all wards, as well as the 18 Exco positions in each local government area.
The root of the parallel congresses is believed to be the refusal to use the registers authenticated by the PDP’s national leadership for the Ward Congress, which favored the Lawal-led group. The Adebutu group reportedly declined to submit its registers for authentication prior to the congresses.
The authenticated registers, it was learned, contained the names of delegates eligible to vote or be elected in the Ward Congress, in line with Section 8 (10) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).
This matter is now subject to litigation at the Federal High Court in Abeokuta, with a hearing on preliminary objections and originating summons set for October 15, 2024.
On Friday, the court cautioned the PDP against compromising the integrity of the legal process.
Delivering a ruling in Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/134/2024, Chief Folorunsho Iseoluwa Akande and Ors. v. PDP and Ors., Justice Abiodun Adeyemi stated: “Regarding the preservation of the RES, which is the primary concern of the Plaintiffs, the RES in this case is neither perishable nor irreparable. It involves a party congress and the recognition of members in accordance with specific laws. The court can set aside any act done outside the law. Therefore, it is prudent for the court to withhold any decisions until the issue of jurisdiction is resolved.”
“I advise all parties to recognize that the court is now fully engaged with this matter and to avoid actions that could disrupt the RES or undermine the judicial process.”
