The South West Peoples Democratic Party congress held on Wednesday in Ibadan, Oyo State has produced
Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe as the Zonal Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) unopposed.
Ajisafe who was re-elected with 661 votes in what party stakeholders described as a consensus-driven process.
Delegates from all six South West states; Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti, gathered for the highly anticipated event, which was marked by a peaceful and well-coordinated electoral process.
The congress also witnessed the election of other zonal executives, many of whom emerged through consensus thereby, reinforcing a strong spirit of unity within the party. Among the newly elected officials were:
Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe – Zonal Chairman
Barrister Obagunwa Muyiwa – Zonal Secretary
Alhaja Bose Adedibu – South West Zonal Women Leader (Oyo State)
Bamidele Seyi Abiola–Zonal Youth Leader
Chief Sanya Atofarati –Zonal Publicity Secretary
Barrister Amuwa Benson–Zonal Organizing Secretary
Adeyela Adeleke Yahaya – Financial Secretary
Hon. Adeyemo Adetunji –Treasurer
Ojetunde Azeez – South West Zonal Ex-Officio (Oyo State)
Party leaders, including Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, commended the atmosphere of cooperation and the maturity displayed throughout the congress. Governor Adeleke noted,
Adeleke said: “The last four years were not like this, but today, we’re getting it right again. We want to send a signal to other states to learn from us in the South West.”
Ajisafe, who had previously served in the same capacity, was widely praised for stabilizing the party’s internal structure across the zone.
In his acceptance speech, Ajisafe expressed gratitude to the delegates for their confidence in his leadership and pledged to continue fostering inclusiveness and strengthening the party’s grassroots structures.
The Chairman of the Congress, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Udom, lauded the peaceful conduct of the exercise, calling it a model for other zones.
Observers from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were also present and described the proceedings as “transparent and orderly.”
The zonal election which was also supervised by former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel who served as Chairman, Electoral Committee/Chief Electoral Officer.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and the current National Deputy Chairman (South) of the party, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja led the 249 Oyo delegates to cast their votes.
In the same vein, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke led delegates from Osun State, while Ogun State PDP gubernatorial candidate at the 2023 general elections, Ladi Adebutu led delegates from Ogun to the zonal executive election.
Other leaders of the party in the zone from other South West states such as Chief Olabode George( Lagos) and were also present at the event
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman, Barrister Kamorudeen 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
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde stated that the zonal Congress will serve as a reference point and guide as to what the National Convention of the party would look like.
Governor Makinde who recalled how members of the party in the zone were at daggers-drawn four years ago, expressed joy that the South West PDP are today united
“Four years ago, we were at daggers- in drawn but today, we are one united PDP family. This election congress is basically a funfair.
“This Congress is for us to show the way democracy is supposed to be practiced in Nigeria. So, the south west is leading the way
“This is a foundation that we are laying and this is what we will do at the National Convention”, he stated
In their goodwill messages, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke and former National Deputy chairman (South) Chief Olabode George both commended the organisers saying that the election will send a signal that the South West is one and speaks with one voice
Chief Olabode George described Governor Makinde as a great mobilizer used the occasion to announce that the congress will be his last outing but will remain as member of the Peoples Democratic Party.
