Ekiti PDP will rise again – PDP Chieftain, Bisi Kolawole

By Boye Oyeyemi

A member of the Peoples Democratic Party National Caretaker Working Committee, Bisi Kolawole, has expressed confidence that the party will overcome its internal woes and regain political strength in Ekiti State.

Kolawole gave the assurance on Saturday in Ado-Ekiti during the party’s state congress, where a new set of executives were elected to steer the affairs of the party.

At the congress, which was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies, Lanre Omolase, a known ally of former governor Ayodele Fayose, emerged as the state chairman. Also elected were former commissioner Tunde Ogunleye as secretary, while Babatunde Akande was returned as deputy chairman.

Other members of the State Working Committee include Femi Philips as publicity secretary, Lawrence Odunayo as organising secretary, Olugbenga Agbede as legal adviser, and Ayodele Oluwatoyin Bosede as women leader.

Meanwhile, Banji Femi emerged as youth leader, Gani Bakare as financial secretary, Anike Folasade as treasurer, Ajayi Joseph as auditor, while Sunday Olowolafe, Adeniyi Adefemi and Segun Olatunji emerged as senatorial chairmen for the South, Central and North districts respectively.

Addressing delegates at the congress, Bisi Kolawole admitted that the party had faced several internal challenges in recent times but maintained that the national leadership was making efforts to restore unity and strengthen internal democracy, adding that consultations were ongoing among leaders and stakeholders to reposition the party and rebuild members’ confidence across the country.

Kolawole also urged the newly elected executives to remain loyal to the party, respect its elders and work collectively to advance the fortunes of the PDP.

Responding on behalf of the new executives, Omolase appealed to party members to remain committed, assuring them that the PDP would recover its lost political ground in the state, amid promising to lead the party with sincerity and fairness.