Wike-PDP camp declares takeover of Oyo secretariat

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, aligned with the Federal Capital Territory Minister, has declared the takeover of the party's old secretariat located in Molete, Ibadan. The group, operating under the leadership of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee, announced this development during a visit to the historic party building.

Professor Rahman Akinoso, speaking for the faction, stated that the action is a direct consequence of a Supreme Court judgment that, according to him, affirmed the existence of "one PDP" in Nigeria. He asserted that security agencies have been notified and that all PDP activities within Oyo State will henceforth be managed from the Molete secretariat. This move challenges the current leadership and signals a significant internal power struggle within the state chapter.

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The action follows the Supreme Court judgment that says there is now one PDP. We have duly notified the security agencies. Our activities in relation to the PDP in Oyo State will now start from here.

The campaign organization for Hazeem Gbolarumi, the PDP governorship candidate, described the takeover as the dawn of a "new chapter" and the return of the "authentic PDP" to its base. They accused the secretariat's previous occupants, loyalists of Governor Seyi Makinde, of abandoning the party following the governor's alleged alignment with the Allied People’s Movement. The group emphasized that this is not just about reclaiming a building but about "reclaiming the soul, structure and vision" of the party.

The Gbolarumi camp views the Molete secretariat's resumption of operations as a pivotal moment, marking the commencement of a renewed political movement. They announced plans for extensive grassroots mobilization across the state's 33 local government areas, activating their political structures in preparation for the 2027 governorship election. The secretariat will serve as the central coordination hub for strategizing ahead of the next electoral cycle.

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The authentic PDP is back home. This is not just about recovering a building; it is about reclaiming the soul, structure and vision of our great party. Today marks the beginning of a new era in Oyo politics.