Wike-backed PDP faction Ekiti vows to rebuild party structure and restore electoral strength ahead of the 2027 general election

The Wike-backed PDP faction Ekiti has pledged to rebuild the Peoples Democratic Party in the state and return it to winning form ahead of the 2027 general election.

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The commitment was made on Saturday by the newly inaugurated State Chairman of the faction, Mr Lanre Omolase, during the inauguration of members of the State Working Committee in Ado Ekiti.

Omolase, an ally of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, said the new leadership is determined to reposition the party and called on members to remain committed to restoring the PDP’s influence in the state.

“I will lead the party with the fear of God and ensure that the party regains its lost grounds in the state. We have all it takes to achieve that,” Omolase said.

A member of the PDP National Caretaker Working Committee, Bisi Kolawole, told delegates at the congress that the party’s national leadership is working to rebuild its fractured structure and restore unity among members.

Kolawole, who was the PDP governorship candidate in Ekiti in the previous election cycle, acknowledged the internal disputes within the party but expressed confidence that ongoing consultations would strengthen the organisation.

“No doubt, our party has experienced internal challenges in recent times, but the leadership at the national level is working diligently to restore unity, strengthen internal democracy and rebuild the confidence of members across the country,” Kolawole said.

The party leader urged the newly elected state executives to remain loyal to party ideals, respect elders within the organisation and work collectively to reposition the PDP as a formidable political force.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the PDP State Congress Committee, Philip Adebiyi, commended the conduct of the congress and said efforts are ongoing to reconcile members across the state.

“The next step is to bring all party members together for reconciliation,” Adebiyi said, adding that party leaders are actively working towards unity ahead of future elections.

Members of the newly inaugurated State Working Committee include Babatunde Akande as Deputy Chairman, Chief Tunde Ogunleye as Secretary, Femi Philips as Publicity Secretary and Lawrence Odunayo as Organising Secretary.

Others are Olugbenga Agbede, Legal Adviser; Mrs Ayodele Bosede, Women Leader; Banji Femi, Youth Leader; Gani Bakare, Financial Secretary; Anike Folasade, Treasurer; Ajayi Joseph, Auditor; and Sunday Olowolafe, Adeniyi Adefemi and Segun Olatunji as senatorial chairmen for the South, Central and North districts respectively.

The development comes as national leaders of the party continue efforts to reconcile rival factions within the PDP.

At the national level, the party is divided between the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee and the Wike-backed National Caretaker Committee led by Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

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In Ekiti State, former governor Ayodele Fayose leads the Wike-aligned faction, while the party’s governorship candidate for the June 20 election emerged from the Turaki faction.