Ondo PDP slams ‘illegal plot’ to dissolve state executive

The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday dismissed claims that its State Executive Committee had been dissolved, maintaining that the party’s leadership in the state remains valid and in charge.

The state chairman of the party, Dupe Aisida, who stated this during a press conference at the party secretariat in Akure, described the purported directive circulating on social media as misleading and lacking constitutional backing.

Aisida said the state leadership had not received any official communication from the national leadership of the party regarding the alleged dissolution.

He explained that the attention of the state chapter was drawn to a statement reportedly issued by a group claiming to be the National Caretaker Working Committee of the party, announcing the dissolution of the Ondo State executive.

He said, “Yesterday evening, a letter was circulating on the internet and social media, reportedly written by someone claiming to be the National Publicity Secretary of the Caretaker Committee of our party, stating that the state executive committee of the PDP in Ondo State had been dissolved. It came as a surprise to us.”

The chairman stressed that the current state leadership emerged through congresses conducted in line with the party’s constitution and monitored by relevant authorities, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

He explained that the ward congress of the party was held on September 13, 2025, across the 203 wards in the state, with security agencies and observers present to monitor the process.

He added that the local government congresses were held on September 17, 2025, across the 18 local government areas, while the state congress took place on September 27, 2025, in Akure.

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According to him, the processes were peaceful and transparent, noting that no petitions were filed against the outcome of the congresses.

He said, “The ward congress was conducted in all the 203 wards in Ondo State. INEC was there, the police sent their representatives, the DSS and other stakeholders were present, and they all confirmed that everything was done according to the guidelines.”

“As a matter of fact, appeal committees were set up for the ward, local government and state congresses, but not a single petition was received. Everything was seamless,” he said.

Aisida stated that the executives elected during the congresses were subsequently sworn in and had since commenced party activities in the state.

He, however, criticised what he described as attempts by some individuals to destabilise the party through unconstitutional actions.

The chairman maintained that the party’s constitution provides a four-year tenure for elected executives, noting that the Ondo State executive committee had only spent a few months in office.

“We are democrats, and we believe in the values of democracy, but when some people attempt to carry out what I call a political coup to achieve their aims, then we must ask where we are heading as a nation.”

“You cannot just wake up one day and say you are dissolving a duly elected executive committee and replacing them with some strange elements. That is not acceptable, and it will not stand,” he added.

Aisida also questioned the legitimacy of the group claiming to be a National Caretaker Committee, describing it as unknown to the party’s constitution.

While acknowledging that disagreements sometimes occur within political parties, Aisida urged members of the PDP in Ondo State to remain calm and ignore rumours capable of causing division.

“The so-called National Caretaker Committee, in the eyes of the law, is illegal and of no consequence. They cannot make decisions about the affairs of our party.

“The Ondo State chapter of the PDP remains united, strong and committed to providing credible leadership and a viable alternative for the good people of Ondo State,” he said.