PDP southwest zonal congress begins in Ibadan

Hundreds of delegates from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) across the six Southwest states—Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, and Lagos—have gathered at the Emeritus Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall in Ibadan for the 2025 Southwest elective zonal congress.

The congress, holding in the Oyo State capital, aims to elect new zonal executives to steer the party’s affairs in the region ahead of future political engagements.

The event is attracting a high-profile presence, including party leaders, elders, political office holders from all three arms of government, and key PDP stakeholders from across the zone.

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and a strong contingent of security personnel are also present to ensure a smooth and orderly process.

Among the dignitaries in attendance are Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, former PDP Board of Trustees Chairman Chief Bode George, Oyo Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Chief Bisi Ilaka, Chief Saka Balogun, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, and Dare Adeleke, among others.

Chairman of the Electoral Committee and Chief Electoral Officer, former Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel, while addressing the delegates, urged for unity and cooperation to ensure a peaceful and successful congress.

He also paid tribute to the founding fathers, elders, and loyal party members whose dedication has sustained the PDP through the years.

“I want to thank the founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party who are still holding on with the fire belief in the party, which has made the party stand out and remain what it is today.

“I want to thank our women and youths, particularly at the state level, which forms the bedrock of the party.

“We welcome INEC officials, and we want to appreciate their presence and effort.”

While welcoming the delegates earlier, the host Governor, Seyi Makinde, recounted that the last Zonal elective Congress was filled with strife and struggle, but that the party has come a long way, four years down the line.

He said, today, the party in the zone is one united and happy family and would, by the rancour-free elective Congress, lay a foundation for how democracy should be practised in the country.

Makinde said, “We have come a long way as a party. Four years ago, it was like a war, full of strife, rancour, and animosity. But today, we are one united Southwest PDP family.

“This elective Congress is a funfare for us. It is for us to show the way democracy should be practised in Nigeria.

“So, the Southwest is leading the way. We are about to witness a rancour-free elective Congress.

“All the stakeholders that should be here are here. INEC is here, observing what we are doing. The security is here. This is democracy at its peak.  I can only wish us well.

“This is a foundation that we are about to lay, and this will show what PDP will do at its National Convention.”

At the time of this report, the delegates have commenced voting for the various vacant positions