Politics
Aggrieved aspirants ask court to nullify all PDP primaries conducted in Oyo
Some aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State have asked the Federal High Court in Ibadan to nullify all State House of Assembly, Governorship, House of Representatives and Senatorial District Primaries conducted in the state.
The eight aspirants through their counsel, Tunde Falola, are urging the court to set aside the PDP Primaries conducted on May 21st, 22nd and May 23, 2022, in Oyo State, because they were allegedly conducted in flagrant violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended), the PDP’s Constitution as well as its Guidelines.
They are also seeking an injunction restraining PDP and INEC from using and/or utilizing any other list of Ad-Hoc and National Delegates for the nomination of candidates into various elective positions at the 2023 general election in Oyo State other than the list of Ad-Hoc and National Delegates which emanated from Ward and Local Government Area Congresses conducted on the 30 April 2022 and 10th May 2022 in Oyo State in compliance with the provisions of Electoral Act, PDP’s Constitution as well as its Guidelines.
The Plaintiffs in the suit are Hon. Taofeef Abiola, Niyi Aborisade(a lawyer), Hon. Taiwo Jimoh, Sakiru Olaide Raheem, Akande Olalekan, Jelil Azeez, Ayoade Olusegun and Anifowoshe Dayo James.
The PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are joined as respondents to the suit.
In the suit, the plaintiffs are asking the court for “a declaration that having regards to the combined provisions of Section 84(8) of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended), Sections 15(2)(e) and 18(2)(c) of the PDP’s Constitution and the Guidelines for Ward, Local Government Area, State, Zonal Congresses and the National Convention of the party, the Defendants are statutorily bound to accord recognition to, act on and/or deal with the list of Ad-Hoc and National Delegates elected at the Ward and Local Government Area Congresses conducted in Oyo State on 30th April 2022 and 10th May 2022 respectively for the nomination of candidates for 2023 general elections in the state”.
They further urged the court “to declare that the purported lists of Ad-hoc delegates used for the conduct of State House of Assembly, Governorship, House of Representatives and Senatorial District Primaries on May 21st, 2022, May 25th, 2022, May 22nd, 2022 and May 23rd, 2022 for the nomination of candidates for the 2023 General Elections in Oyo State are illegal and unconstitutional, having not emanated from the Ward Congress conducted on April 30, 2022, in Oyo State”.
In an affidavit filed in support of the suit and deposed to by one of the Applicants, Taofeef Abiola, they claimed that they are card-carrying members of the PDP in Oyo State and as aspirants who participated and contested for the various elective positions in the Oyo State Chapter of the party.
The politicians also maintained that having complied with the combined provisions of Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), the Constitution of the PDP, the Guidelines for Ward, Local Government Area, State, Zonal Congresses and the National Convention of the PDP, the lists of Ad-Hoc and National Delegates elected through the Ward and Local Government Area Congresses held on said April 30, 2022, and May 10, 2022, respectively in Oyo State and no other lists of delegates ought to be accorded recognition as the authentic and lawfully elected delegates of the PDP in Oyo State by the INEC for nominations of candidates at the 2023 General Election in Oyo State.
“That in preparation for the 2023 General Election, the second Defendant (PDP) released and published the Time-Table and Schedule of Activities for its Ward, Local Government Area and the National Convention, to elect party Ad-Hoc and National Delegates.
“That under the above, the second Defendant also adopted its January 2020 Guidelines for the Conduct of the said Ward, Local Government Area, State, Zonal Congresses and the National Convention.
“That in line with the party’s already published Time-Table referred to in paragraph 9 above and under the Provision of Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended) and the second Defendant’s Constitution, the second Defendant Conducted its Ward Congresses in Oyo State on April 30, 2022, and Three AD-HOC Ward Delegates were elected from each of the Wards in the State.
“That contrary to the aforementioned directive by the second Defendant and in sharp contravention of the provision of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended) and the 2nd Defendant’s Constitution, a minority group within the second Defendant Party in Oyo State who did not participate at the said Ward and Local Government Area Congresses have connived with some Elements and National officers of the second Defendant and perfected, planned and jettisoned the authentic and legally recognisable list of delegates emanating from the said Ward and Local Government Area Congresses.
“That notwithstanding our protest also, the 2nd Defendant’s Agents who conducted the primaries insisted and went on with the purported primaries.
“That at the said primaries also, the authentic Ad-hoc Delegates who could have voted for me as well as other Plaintiffs were severally beaten and injured by the thugs sponsored by the said minority group within the 2nd Defendant, who was behind the manipulation of the lists in question”.
However, the court is yet to fix a date for the hearing of the suit.
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the newly elected State Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
The party, at its state congress held on Tuesday at Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, elected a former Deputy Governor of the state, Moses Alake Adeyemo, as its new chairman alongside other state executive members.
Oseni, in a statement on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, described Adeyemo’s emergence as well-deserved, noting that his experience and longstanding commitment to the party would further strengthen its structure in the state.
He said the peaceful conduct of the congress demonstrated the party’s commitment to internal democracy and progressive leadership.
The statement said, “I congratulate our newly elected State Chairman and leader, His Excellency, Moses Alake Adeyemo, and other members of the State Executive Committee on their emergence. This victory reflects the confidence reposed in them by party members across the state.”
Oseni further expressed confidence that the new leadership would reposition the party for greater cohesion and electoral success.
According to him, “This is a critical moment for our party in Oyo State. It calls for unity, reconciliation, and renewed commitment to the ideals that bind us together as progressives.”
The federal lawmaker assured the new executives of his support and cooperation in advancing the programmes of the party and strengthening its grassroots structures.
He urged party members to rally behind the new leadership to ensure stability and secure future victories for the APC in the state.
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