Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has begun its congress in Ibadan, the capital city, with Governor Seyi Makinde casting the first vote to kick off the electoral process.
Governor Makinde, who serves as the number one delegate from Ibadan North East Local Government, was among the early voters in the peaceful and well-organised exercise.
Delegates from 33 local governments are participating in the congress.
It marks the culmination of the party’s internal electoral process, following successful ward and local government congresses held across the state.
The exercise is aimed at electing new state executive officers, who will steer the party’s affairs over the next four years.
The election is being monitored by former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, officials of the party from the national headquarters, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security operatives, among others.
The Electoral Panel Chairman from the party’s national secretariat, Senator Austin Akobundu, is leading other officials to conduct and coordinate the congress.
Governor Makinde said the task before the would-be elected executive members of the party would be to deliver the party from the presidency to the councillorship positions in 2027.
Sen. Akobundu lauded the organised arrangement he met on ground, especially among the delegates, noting that the congress held great significance to the party.
He said: ‘There’s no report that anything untoward happened to our delegates. We are all here in large numbers. Thank you and welcome.
‘I want to point to the fact that today’s event has great significance to our party. Your state has been one of the strong corners of our party in the country. I have had to undertake many assignments here over the years and I’m glad to note that under the famed leadership, able leadership of the leader of the party, Engineer Seyi Makinde, this party has grown from strength to strength.
‘The testimonial is the recent by-election conducted, off-season election, where PDP took the seats and returned all our candidates to National Assembly and other seats. I want to thank you, your excellency, for the strong leadership you have provided and for the growth our party has witnessed. Today we expect nothing different from what we have done before.
‘Most congresses here have been very, very seamless and I can see that today we are well organised. The crowd that we have here is a reflection of the acceptance of PDP as a solid platform and I want to advise that we remain orderly as we walk through this process.
‘Be reminded also that we are working towards 2027 election where PDP will return all our candidates.
‘Finally, let me take this opportunity to thank God for giving us a governor like Seyi Makinde in Oyo State today. One of the best governors, performing governor who has transformed Oyo State. I was telling him that when I got into Ibadan, because I used to visit Ibadan a lot in the past, that I couldn’t find my way around the city.
‘The city is so well transformed as well as our rural areas and I pray that God will continue to grant him grace to complete the job and as he prepares to go for higher assignment by the special grace of God, I pray that God Almighty will also give us a successor with steady hands that will also be handsome and passionate about the development and growth of Oyo State. I believe God will do so for us.
‘I will continue to pray that the rest of this administration that will lead to next one will be progressive, will be rewarding, will see more development. So, for our party to come back we have to work very hard. This exercise is going to be very fast because I can see that you are well organised.’
The event attracted several high-profile dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of the state, the PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; federal lawmakers like Abass Adigun Agboworin (Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency), Stanley Adedeji Olajide (Ibadan North-West/South-West), and Shina Peller, a former member of the House of Representatives.
Also in attendance are local government council chairmen across the state, party stakeholders and supporters, who are witnessing the congress proceedings.
The outcome of the congress is expected to shape the direction of PDP in Oyo State, as it prepares for future electoral contests.
As at press time, voting was still ongoing by delegates across the three senatorial district of the state.