The internal crisis plaguing the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears far from resolution, as the struggle for control of the party’s structure took a new turn on Saturday. This is just as Hon. Sikirullahi Ogundele was returned elected as State Chairman at the party’s state congress, held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

However, a parallel congress organized by supporters of the party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, elected Prince Abayomi Tella as factional chairman. This parallel congress, which spanned from the ward to state level, reflects the deepening divisions within the party.

Recall that the party in Ogun state  has been unable to regain control of the state government since 2010, with internal strife consistently undermining its electoral prospects. The most recent dispute involves a fallout between Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu and his 2023 deputy governorship candidate, Hon. Abdulkabir Akinlade after Akinlade alleged Adebutu of receiving ₦650 million from the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in 2019, allegedly to undermine the PDP after Adebutu failed to secure a spot on the ballot following a rift with the late Senator Buruji Kashamu. He also accused Adebutu of selling out the party during the 2023 Presidential elections.

The party continues to grapple with factionalism, as evidenced by the latest parallel congress, which resulted in the election of competing state executives. The two main factions are led by the party’s 2023 governorship candidate; Hon. Ladi Adebutu and a coalition of a former governorship aspirant of the party, Hon. Jimi Lawal, 2023 deputy governorship candidate of the party; Hon. Abdulkabir Akinlade and the newly elected state chairman;  Hon. Sikirullahi Ogundele.

This internal crisis is not unique to Ogun State as similar challenges afflict the PDP in other states like Rivers and Abia. Although the national leadership of the party has recently vowed to address these disputes in an effort to unify warring factions before the next elections, the willingness of these factions to resolve their differences remains uncertain.

The faction loyal to Lawal, Akinlade and Ogundele has already taken legal action, approaching the Federal High Court in Abeokuta to compel the PDP to officially recognize its members.

As the party looks ahead to the 2027 elections, members are hoping that the ongoing conflicts will be resolved in time to present a united front and reclaim power in Ogun State. However, whether this will be the turning point or another chapter in the party’s persistent crisis remains to be seen.