An ally of former Ayodele Fayose, Lanre Omolase, has emerged as the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State following the party’s state congress held on Saturday in Ado‑Ekiti.
The congress, which was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies, also produced a former commissioner in the state, Tunde Ogunleye, as the party’s secretary.
Other members of the State Working Committee were elected during the exercise.
At the congress, Babatunde Akande emerged as Deputy Chairman, while Femi Philips was elected Publicity Secretary.
Also elected were Lawrence Odunayo as Organising Secretary and Olugbenga Agbede as Legal Adviser.
For other key positions, Ayodele Oluwatoyin Bosede emerged as Women Leader, while Banji Femi was elected Youth Leader and Gani Bakare as Financial Secretary.
Similarly, Anike Folasade emerged as Treasurer, Ajayi Joseph as Auditor, while Sunday Olowolafe, Adeniyi Adefemi and Segun Olatunji were elected senatorial chairmen for Ekiti South, Ekiti Central and Ekiti North respectively.
Speaking at the congress, a member of the PDP National Caretaker Working Committee and the party’s governorship candidate in the 2022 Ekiti election, Bisi Kolawole, acknowledged that the party had experienced internal challenges but assured members that efforts were underway to rebuild and reposition it.
According to him, consultations are ongoing among party leaders and stakeholders across the country to restore unity within the PDP and strengthen internal democracy.
Kolawole urged the newly elected executives to remain loyal to the party and work together to reposition it, stressing that discipline, unity and commitment to the party’s ideals are essential for the PDP to regain its status as a major political force.
In his acceptance speech, Omolase called on party members to renew their commitment to the PDP, expressing confidence that the party would overcome its present challenges.
He pledged to lead the party with integrity and fairness while working closely with stakeholders to rebuild its structure across the state.
Omolase further assured members that he would lead the party “with the fear of God” and work to ensure that the PDP regains its lost political ground in Ekiti State.
