The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has distanced itself from a parallel state congress allegedly convened on Saturday, by a faction within the party.
Addressing journalists in Lagos, the State Chairman of the PDP, Mr Philip Aivoji, flanked by some members of the State Executive Council, described the exercise as illegal, unconstitutional, and a deliberate attempt to destabilise the party.
Aivoji alleged that the controversial congress was organised by a group loyal to former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George. He maintained that the tenure of the present State Executive Council remains valid until March 2026 and therefore cannot be prematurely dissolved.
“For today’s purported state congress, it is unconstitutional, illegal, and a wasted effort that cannot stand the test of time,” Aivoji said. He explained that Section 25 (1) of the party’s constitution clearly stipulates the structure of a state congress, which must be chaired by the state chairman.
“Bypassing this provision renders the exercise null and void. The state executive committee, therefore, disassociates itself from the so-called congress, which was hurriedly put together to satisfy the personal interests of a few individuals at the expense of the wider membership,” he stated.
The chairman warned that such divisive actions could worsen internal cracks within the Lagos PDP, noting that several loyal members have threatened to leave if what he described as “illegality” is allowed to stand.
He revealed that the Lagos PDP leadership had earlier informed the National Executive Committee, NEC, and the National Working Committee, NWC, of the error in listing the state among those scheduled for congress. According to him, the NWC confirmed that Lagos had been excluded, making Saturday’s exercise even more questionable.
Aivoji accused some national officers of bypassing due process, alleging that forms for aspirants were handed to a deputy national secretary who distributed them to allies without involving the state executives or conducting proper screening.
He urged PDP leaders at all levels to resist actions capable of deepening division within the party, stressing the need for peace, unity, and respect for due process.
“The Lagos State Exco vehemently condemns the conduct of this illegal congress to elect new officers when the tenure of the current executive has not expired. None of us is part of this charade. We stand for fairness, transparency, and stability, not chaos,” Aivoji declared.
