Makinde, Adeleke, George Lead Delegates to Elect Southwest PDP Zonal Executive

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde’, his Osun State counterpart, Governor Ademola Adeleke, former member, Board of Trustees, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, yesterday led delegates to elect Southwest zonal executives with a vow to win more states in 2027.

Hundreds of the party faithful from the six states that make up the zone were in attendance at the Ogunlesi Hall, University College Hall, Ibadan, for the exercise.

The election which was supervised by the representatives of the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) saw the return of Kamorudeen Ajisafe, as the Zonal Chairman and the wife of the strongman of Ibadan politics Alhaja Bose Adedibu, as the Woman Leader.

Other elected officers are Muyiwa Obagunwa (Secretary); Adeyemo Adetunju (Treasurer); Yaya Adeleke (Financial Secretary), and Atofarati Olusanya ( Publicity Secretary.

The delegates stated that the election of the zonal executives has provided platform for the party to win more states in 2027.

The first assignment of the newly sworn in executives, according to the delegates is the second term mandate of Governor Ademola Adeleke in 2027.

Corroborating the views of the delegates,
the Chairman of the Electoral Committee and Chief Electoral Officer, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, who lauded the conduct of the delegates during and after the conduct of the election, said necessary platform has been provided for the party in the Southwest.

He also commented the efforts of the founding fathers, elders and leaders of the party for their steadfastness and commitment to the party till date.

“I want to thank the founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party who are still holding on with the fire belief in the party which has made the party stand out and remained what it is today.

“I want to thank our women and youths, particularly at the state level which forms the bedrock of the party”, he said.

Also in his address, the host, Governor Makinde recounted that the last zonal elective congress of the party was filled with strife and struggle but that the party has come a long way four years down the line.

He said, “But today, the party in the zone is one united and happy family and would by the rancor free elective Congress lay a foundation for how democracy should be practiced in the country.

We have come a long way as a party. Four years ago, it was like a war, full of strife, rancour and animosity. But, today, we are one united Southwest PDP family.

“This elective Congress is basically a fanfare for us. It is for us to show the way democracy should be practiced in Nigeria.

“So, the Southwest is leading the way. We are about to witness a rancor free elective Congress.

“All the stakeholders that should be here are here. INEC is here, observing what we are doing. the security are here. This is democracy at its peak. I can only wish us well.

“This is a foundation that we are about to lay and this will show what PDP will do at its National Convention.”

Some of the dignitaries in attendance include Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal; Chief Bisi Ilaka; Dr. Saka Balogun, Ambassdor Taofeek Arapaja, Dare Adeleke, among others.

Governor Adeleke in his remarks, tasked the newly elected officials to strive for the successful outings of the party in the subsequent election.

The outcome of the Congress, according to him, has further confirmed oneness among members of the party in the state, saying “We are in good stead to win more states in 2027.”

Chief Olabode George on his part, thanked the party faithful for building on the legacy that they laid 25 years ago.

In his acceptance speech, the re-elected Chairman , Barrister Ajisafe on behalf of the new executives, promised to serve meritoriously and not to deviate from the aspirations of the party leaders in the zone.

He also promised to move the party forward, assuring that three more South West states will produce governors on the platform of the PDP before the expiration of their tenure in office.