A professor in the Department of Food Technology at University of Ibadan, Professor Abdulrahman Akinoso, has emerged as chairman of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other members of the party’s executive during a congress held on Saturday.
Among those elected were Dr Abiola Olaonipekun as Secretary, Alhaja Latifah Latifu as Women Leader, and Mr A. Adeleke as Youth Leader.
The congress took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium and was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies, and prominent party members.
The election was supervised by an electoral committee led by Prince Diran Odeyemi as chairman, with members including Hon. Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, Mr Olumide Aguda, and Dr Phillips Adeniyi, who served as secretary.
In his inaugural address, Akinoso called on party members to put aside their internal differences and work together for the progress of the party.
He advised them to concentrate their resources on the promotion of the party, saying, “The primary responsibilities of party executive members are to coordinate party activities, ensure harmony among members, and ensure party victory during general elections.
“Our immediate assignments are to key into INEC release 2027 general election time-tables. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, our party e-membership registration starts next week. We must be fully involved and do a membership drive.
“A political party is only relevant and benefits its members if it wins the election. This is our goal. We should set aside intra-party differences. Concentrate our resources towards the promotion of the party. We will make necessary consultations and dialogue to actualise this”.