An ally of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, Lanre Omolase, has emerged as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State.
Omolase alongside other executive members emerged on Saturday during the State Congress of the party held in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital.
The congress, monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies, also produced a former commissioner in the state, Chief Tunde Ogunleye, as the party’s Secretary.
Other members of the State Working Committee elected at the congress include Babatunde Akande as Deputy Chairman; Femi Philips as publicity secretary; Lawrence Odunayo as Organising Secretary; Olugbenga Agbede as legal adviser; Mrs Ayodele Bosede as Women Leader; Banji Femi as Youth Leader; and Gani Bakare as Financial Secretary.
Also elected were Anike Folasade as Treasurer; Ajayi Joseph as Auditor; while Sunday Olowolafe, Adeniyi Adefemi and Segun Olatunji emerged as senatorial chairmen for Ekiti South, Central and North respectively.
Speaking at the congress, the Chairman of the Congress Committee, Mr Philip Adebiyi,expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise, describing the congress as peaceful, transparent and reflective of the party’s commitment to internal democracy.
He noted that the successful completion of the process marked an important step toward stabilising the party’s structure in Ekiti State.
Adebiyi noted that the emergence of new executives at the state level would help reposition PDP and restore confidence among supporters and stakeholders.
Adebiyi urged the party’s governorship candidate in the June 20 election, Dr Wole Oluyede, to reconcile with Fayose and other leaders of the party in order to strengthen the PDP’s chances at the poll.
Adebiyi said the next step for the party was to unite its members and rebuild its structure ahead of future elections.
“The next step is to bring all party members together for reconciliation. After the court ruling, the first thing Oluyede should do is to reach out to the leader of the party in the state, Ayodele Fayose, and bring everybody together,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, the new chairman, Omolase, called for renewed commitment among party members, assuring that the PDP would regain its lost political ground in Ekiti State.
Omolase pledged to lead the party with integrity and the fear of God while working with other leaders and members to reposition the party for future electoral success.
A member of the PDP National Caretaker Working Committee, Bisi Kolawole said efforts were underway to rebuild the fractured structure of the party and reposition it for future political success.
Kolawole acknowledged that the party had faced internal challenges in recent times but expressed confidence that the national leadership was working to restore unity and rebuild members’ confidence across the country.
He charged the newly elected state executives to remain loyal to the party, respect its elders and work collectively to reposition the PDP in the state.
Kolawole stressed that discipline, unity and commitment to the ideals of the party were necessary for the PDP to regain its strength and effectively play its role as a major political force.
