There was uneasy calm in Ogun state as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday, 14th September, 2024, held parallel local government congress across the 20 local government areas in the state.
The party had earlier held parallel Ward Congress in the state’s 236 on the 31st of August, 2024.
In Ogun State, there are two major factions. The one led by the 2023 governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu and the coalition led by the trio of a former PDP governorship aspirant, Otunba Jimi Adebisi Lawal (JAL); the 2023 deputy governorship candidate, Hon. Abdulkadir Adekunle Akinlade and the immediate past State Chairman, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele.
It was gathered that in all the LGAs, two sets of executives emerged for all the 18 available positions.
For instance, in Ijebu Ode Local Government Area, while the Lawal group produced Hon. Gbede Oluwasegun as party chairman, the Adebutu group has Mr. Kehinde Ajetunmobi as party chairman.
In Abeokuta South Local Government Area, while the Lawal group produced Hon. Adeyemi Surajudeen as party chairman, the Adebutu group has Mr. Sanusi Sakiru as party chairman.
In Yewa South Local Government Area, while the Lawal group produced Hon. Ogundare Samuel, the Adebutu group has Mr. Lateef Onifade as party chairman.
The foundation for the parallel congress was laid by the alleged refusal to use of the registers authenticated by the national leadership of the party for the Ward Congress which is in favour of the Lawal group.
The authenticated registers, it was learnt, consist names of the delegates to the Ward Congress (i.e. those to vote and be voted for at the elective congress) in line with Section 8 (10) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
