The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday concluded an emergency meeting, urging its members not to be swayed by recent political developments in the country. The party admonished them “not to allow uncertainty to steal their convictions.”
This comes amidst media reports suggesting that the PDP in the state has been depleted following the movement of its prominent figures to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The State Coordinator of the coalition and former House of Representatives member, Prof. Bode Ayorinde, had, during the inaugural meeting of the coalition in the state, disclosed that two governorship candidates of the PDP and other stakeholders had aligned with the new group.
However, the PDP dismissed the news circulating that the party’s structures in the state were being moved to the ADC, following recent coalition moves.
According to a statement jointly signed by prominent leaders of the party across different organs, including members of the Board of Trustees, the National Executive Committee, party leadership in the State Assembly, and the 2024 gubernatorial candidate, the PDP emphasized that no coalition or alignment with any other political party or groups has been initiated in the state.
The party leaders who signed the statement are Dr. Bode Olajumoke (Life member, Board of Trustees), Dr. Eddy Olafeso (Board of Trustees member), Agboola Ajayi (2024 PDP governorship candidate), Debo Ologunagbo (National Publicity Secretary and NEC Member), and Clement Faboyede (National Executive Committee member).1
Others include Olajide Oguntodu (Minority Leader, Ondo State House of Assembly), Pastor Ladi Omotehinse (Chairman, Ondo State Forum of PDP LG Chairmen), Bakkita Bello, PhD (Chairman, Caretaker Committee), and Oluseye Olujimi, Secretary, Caretaker Committee.
Hinting that its future plans will be made public through its statutory organs in due course, the PDP stated that the coalition had yet to define a clear ideological or people-centered direction, which it maintained “cannot replace the tested, deep-rooted structures and legacy of the PDP.”
The party further stressed: “We must remind ourselves that the PDP is not just a political party; it is a movement of hope, of democracy, and of purposeful governance. The preparation for the forthcoming elections is fully underway. We are not retreating. We are not relenting. We are rebuilding. The party structures remain intact and active in all the 203 wards and 18 local government areas across Ondo State. Our programs, engagements, and mobilization efforts continue unhindered.”