Mr Muka Popoola has emerged the new Chairman of Wike-backed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) in Lagos State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Popoola, along with 38 other state executive members, emerged by consensus at the State Elective Congress of the party in Ikeja.
The election of the committee members was affirmed vis voice vote by delegates.
Meanwhile, NAN recalls that the Dr Kabiru Turaki-led PDP NWC had, on Feb. 27, similarly inaugurated new State, Local Government Area and Ward Executive Committees of its faction in the state.
The Wike-backed factional NWC is led by Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu serving as National Secretary.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Wike-backed congress, Mr Olalekan Rotimi, who applauded delegates for their peaceful conduct, said the adoption of consensus to pick leaders would strengthen party unity.
Rotimi said: “From the kind of organisation we have seen here you have made our job very easier.
“This is just basically a family affair in line with the new electoral guideline and electoral act as amended.
“Unanimously and by consensus, everybody has agreed on who should lead the state executive council.”
According to him, other members of the state executive committee that emerged via consensus include Mr Kayode Ogunbiyi (Deputy Chairman), Disu Omotola (Secretary), Alhaja Kehinde Olojede (Woman Leader), Olalekan Odufolakun (Youth Leader), and Dr Phillips Adebiyi (Publicity Secretary).
Others are Mr Hakeem Olalemi (Organising Secretary), Morgan Onyeoma (Financial Secretary), Kate Onyechere (Treasurer), Desmond Agbo (Legal Adviser) and Alhaji Adio Salami (State Auditor).
Also elected are Alhaji Fatai Adele (State Vice Chairman West), Chief Adekogbe Taiwo (State Vice Chairman East), and Soji Orioye (State Vice Chairman Central).
On the PDP’s national leadership crisis, Rotimi said that although grievances were inevitable in any association, reconciliation efforts were ongoing.
“We are very optimistic as a family that with the elders involved in the reconciliation, all of that will be resolved,” he said.
Speaking further on the consensus arrangement, Rotimi added:”Once we agree among ourselves like we have done in choosing leaders, everything will be easy and we will win.
“We want everyone to embrace peace in the party. It is good. If we hold ourselves together, this new process will favour us, particularly in Lagos State.
“Let us build on this pyramid. We must work together, not work to serve individual interests.”
Also speaking, Mr Adedeji Doherty, Deputy National Secretary of the factional NWC, said the new state executives must promote the ideals and vision of the party and sell it to the grassroots.
Doherty, a former State PDP chairman and governorship candidate who represented the National Chairman, said the congress was aimed at reinventing the party and repositioning it ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He noted that the party had been under the “bondage” of some leaders in the state, but was now free from their control.
Doherty added that ward and local government congresses had earlier been successfully conducted in the state.
“This exercise is very crucial in line with the newly signed electoral law. The new state party managers must put the interest of the party and members above all interests.
“We have consulted and met with leaders of the party in various councils and we have come up with a unity list. We appreciated this decision from across the local governments. We are moving forward to win.”
He said the list was inclusive, accommodating more women, youths and non-indigenes.
“With this exco and the composition, we will be able to withstand any wind in the state,” Doherty said.
Commending loyalists for their resilience and commitment, Doherty expressed confidence that party leaders and governors who had left would return.
Speaking on the legality of the congress, Doherty said the Turaki-led faction could not build something on nothing.
“This congress has its legality in the highest order,” he claimed.
He added that a recent Appeal Court ruling had indirectly authenticated the Wike-backed group and urged party loyalists to align genuinely and transparently.
Also speaking, former House of Representatives member, Mr Tajudeen Obasa, said: “Who says PDP is dead? it is the enemy of the party that is dead.
“PDP cannot die. We are going to feature candidates in all elective positions and win in 2027. Whether they like it or not, we are waxing stronger.”
Earlier, Ogunbiyi, Chairman of the party’s State Caretaker Committee whose tenure ended with the congress, thanked party leaders for the opportunity to serve.
“We thank everyone for supporting us throughout our tenure, we are bowing out today,” Ogunbiyi said.
Responding on behalf of the new executive, Popoola thanked Wike and the National Caretaker Working Committee, pledging to serve diligently.
“With the support of all leaders, PDP in Lagos State will not be business as usual. From this moment, it is going to be business unusual. We will prioritise the interest of members of the party in all decision.
“We are going to work as a team and deliver as a team with the support of all. There is work to be done. PDP will challenge the ruling party in Lagos.
“It is a family affair, this position belongs to all of us, I am just holding it in trust. It is a challenge before us, we are honoured and we must deliver.”
He added: “We are running a party to win election. We will do our best and we will triumph.”
