An ally of former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Lanre Omolase, has emerged as the chairman of the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 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 (INEC) 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 also elected during the exercise.
At the congress, Babatunde Akande emerged as Deputy Chairman, while Femi Philips was elected as 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, Banji Femi as Youth Leader, while Gani Bakare was elected 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, admitted that the party had faced internal challenges but assured members that efforts were ongoing to rebuild and reposition it.
According to him, consultations were currently taking place among party leaders and stakeholders across the country to restore unity within the PDP.
Kolawole said the consultations were aimed at strengthening internal democracy and rebuilding confidence among members.
He urged the newly elected executives to remain loyal to the party and work together to reposition it.
Kolawole emphasised that discipline, unity and commitment to the ideals of the PDP were necessary for the party to regain its status as a major political force.
In his acceptance remarks, the new chairman, Omolase, called on party members to renew their commitment to the PDP, assuring them that the party would overcome its present challenges.
He pledged to lead the party with integrity and fairness while working closely with all stakeholders to rebuild its structure across the state.
Omolase said he would lead the party “with the fear of God” and ensure that the PDP regains its lost political ground in Ekiti State.
