…Rejects Coalition Move
A faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) , Nyesom Wike, has distanced itself from the outcome of the recent opposition leaders’ summit held in Ibadan on Saturday, April 25.
The Wike-led faction rejected any move to adopt a single presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the State Chairman, Prof. Abdulrahman Akinoso, and Secretary, Dr Abiola Olaonipekun, the PDP group said it neither participated in nor endorsed the resolutions reached at the gathering.
The faction described the meeting as lacking legitimacy and failing to meet constitutional requirements for decisions of such significance.
The statement read, “The so-called Ibadan summit is a ruse. It was merely an assemblage of individuals, not a legitimate convergence of political parties.
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“For any coalition or alliance to be binding, it must be anchored on institutional authorisation, not informal gatherings lacking due process.
According to the group, no recognised organ of the PDP at either the national or state level approved participation in the summit, stressing that proper procedures involving the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) or National Executive Committee (NEC) were not followed.
The faction also rejected claims of any alliance with the African Democratic Congress or other opposition groups aimed at presenting a unified presidential candidate.
It maintained that decisions of such magnitude would only be taken after extensive internal consultations in line with the party’s constitutional framework.
While acknowledging ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, the group emphasised its commitment to strengthening party structures rather than engaging in what it described as premature coalition-building.
The faction further urged party members and the public to disregard reports suggesting PDP’s involvement in the Ibadan declaration, reaffirming its readiness to fully participate in the forthcoming electoral process.
