Ekiti News reports that leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State have stated their determination to oppose former governor Ayodele Fayose’s efforts to take control of the party’s structures ahead of the upcoming party congresses.
Former PDP chairman in the State, Gboyega Oguntuase, made it clear at the party’s stakeholders and leaders meeting in Ado-Ekiti that the party will not allow former governor Ayodele Fayose to take over the party structures for his personal gain.
Oguntuase asserted that Fayose and others vying to control the party should seek their ambitions elsewhere, suggesting that members are aware of his alleged affiliation as a mole for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He claimed that the APC was actively supporting candidates to seize control of the PDP and undermine the opposition’s chances in the 2026 governorship election.
Oguntuase added that party leaders in the state had collectively endorsed Mr. Funso Ayeni, the PDP senatorial candidate for Ekiti North in the 2023 general election, as their preferred candidate for state chairman in the upcoming congresses.
He said: “The meeting is for members across the 16 local governments in the state, discussing and mapping out strategies on how we can stop some people from sabotaging Ekiti PDP and there is a consensus that if PDP must be saved from those dealing with the party recklessly and without integrity, the only way is to adopt a chairman who has interest of the party.
“It is so clear that the former governor betrayed the party in the last elections in the state and he is unapologetic about those decisions and those things are elements of sabotage and we must stop those people from hijacking the party going forward.
“If truly we want to rescue the party, we must have a consensus on a chairman with integrity, who is vibrant and young; who will not sell out the party and they have spoken that Funsho Ayeni should be picked.
“But we are not going to stop at that, especially some few leaders who are not on same page with us on the basis of zoning, we will discuss with them that what is important now is to get a viable chairman who will be able to stand on his own and will not compromise at the point of intimidation.
“So, after getting the governorship back to the PDP in 2026, then we can of course start zoning, but zoning without the governorship seat will mean nothing.”
In response, Ayeni expressed gratitude to the stakeholders for endorsing him for the state chairmanship position.
He assured them that if elected, he would prioritise unity within the party and strengthen it for a successful bid in the 2026 governorship election.
He said, “This is a man who has gone on the media that he is supporting the APC and Governor Biodun Oyebanji for second term and someone said he is calling for unity of PDP. What type of unity is that?
Ayeni also urged the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to be cautious of Fayose’s actions, emphasizing that party members would no longer tolerate his disruptive behavior.