Daud Olatunji
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed Abayomi Tella as its authentic chairman in Ogun State, saying it’s congress that was supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The PDP’s seven-member State Congress Committee, led by Alhaji Kabiru Baffa Jauro, denied reports of a parallel congress being held in the state capital, Abeokuta, labeling such claims as baseless and misleading.
Jauro, speaking with journalists,stated that the party’s congress, which declared Tella as the winner, was the only legitimate process recognized by the PDP and supervised by INEC.
The congress also had the presence of security agencies, including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), ensuring a transparent and orderly process.
Jauro urged the public to disregard the parallel congress claimed by other members of the PDP, describing it as a “kangaroo congress” and an “exercise in futility.”
He pointed out that his committee followed all necessary procedures, including liaising with the party’s Local Organising Committee (LOC), to guarantee a smooth and credible congress.
“We met with INEC, the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the DSS, and other key security personnel to ensure a secure environment for the congress.
The delegates were properly accredited, and the election was conducted in accordance with party guidelines,” Jauro explained.
He dismissed any claims of a separate congress held elsewhere, stating that those involved had no authority or official list of delegates. Jauro declared that the committee had all necessary materials, including ballot papers and the list of both statutory and non-statutory delegates.
“Any other congress outside of this one is an illegitimate exercise that should not be taken seriously,” he added.
The congress saw Tella emerge victorious with 2,216 votes, decisively defeating the former chairman, Sikirulai Ogundele, who garnered just 28 votes.
A total of 2,549 delegates participated in the congress, with 2,174 accredited votes and 50 declared invalid.
After his victory, Tella addressed the media, pledging to rejuvenate and reposition the Ogun State chapter of the PDP for success in the 2027 elections.
He emphasized that under his leadership, the party would restore its heritage as a ruling party, with a legacy that includes producing former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Tella stressed that his immediate goal is not merely opposition but the restoration of the PDP’s strength in Ogun State.
“We are working to regain our rightful place as a ruling party, and the process of returning to power must be realized in the next elections,” Tella said.
He extended an olive branch to aggrieved members, urging them to stop taking internal party matters to the media or the courts. Instead, Tella called on them to join efforts to build a stronger and more unified PDP.
“Our party once raised the level of economic prosperity in Ogun State, and we are determined to reverse the current decline under the APC administration,” he remarked.
Tella also appealed to former PDP members who had crossed over to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to return to the PDP fold.
He expressed confidence that under his leadership, the PDP would be difficult to defeat in 2027 and beyond.
“The State Executive Committee under my chairmanship will focus on internal cohesion, expanding our membership, and working towards providing much-needed relief for the people of Ogun State,” Tella added.
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