Wike-led PDP conducts South-West zonal congress

The Nyesom Wike-backed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West on Thursday held its zonal congress, electing Engineer Adedeji Doherty as chairman.

Other members of the newly elected executive committee are Honourable Oluwole Omotayo (Zonal Secretary) and Ambassador Folake Marcus-Bello (Zonal Women Leader).

Also elected are Honourable Wale Ogunmodede (Auditor), Honourable Akin Olusegun Oyeniyi (Publicity Secretary), Comrade Oyeniyi Akinloye (Youth Leader), Honourable Gbadamosi Oluwakayode (Financial Secretary), Honourable Gbolaro Clement (Treasurer), and Adefeni Clement (Organising Secretary).

Zonal ex-officio members elected include Alhaji Adeyola Adeleke (Osun), Honourable Bankole Olekan (Oyo), Honourable Nurudeen Akande (Lagos), Honourable Gbenga Iyanusi (Ondo), and Comrade Opakunle Oyetunji (Ogun).

The congress, attended by delegates from the six South-West states, was held at the Airport Hotel, Lagos.

Chairman of the zonal congress committee, Honourable Olalekan Rotimi, commended members for their steadfastness and adherence to democratic principles.

He said the party is collectively owned, declaring that “the era of one man calling the shots is over.”

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Rotimi added: “Today, we thank God that we can sit together as a family. The PDP is our collective property. In line with the Electoral Act, the emergence of candidates is by consensus. We are here to ratify what has already been agreed and forward it to Abuja. All positions have been mutually zoned.”

In his acceptance speech, Doherty thanked delegates for what he described as a successful congress and pledged to mobilise support for the party across the South-West.

He also commended Nyesom Wike for his leadership.

“In every political party, there will be disgruntled members, but Wike is someone you can trust. Many say politicians are not trustworthy, but he is open, sometimes to a fault. Once he believes in you, he stands by you.”

“He stands for the people because he believes he has their support and must reciprocate it.”

Doherty dismissed claims of division within the party.

“I greet all our delegates from the six states. There are claims of divisions, but I maintain that we have no factions within the PDP. This is a task we must accomplish together. We will soon embark on a tour of the South-West,” he said.

Dignitaries at the event included former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi; former Nigerian Ambassador to The Gambia, Folake Marcus-Bello; Architect Kayode Adebayo; and other party leaders from across the zone.