The chairman of the 2025 congress that will usher in new executives for the Peoples Democratic Party in 214 wards across Osun State, Dr Samuel Omotoso, has assured adequate security in all wards where the congress is scheduled to take place.
The state PDP leadership also urged party members to cooperate for a smooth exercise.
Addressing returning officers at the party State Secretariat in Osogbo on Saturday, just before the congress commenced, Omotoso explained that the exercise would only be held in wards where the tenure of the executives had expired.
Flanked by other members of the electoral committee, he emphasised that the aim was to prevent any vacuum in party structures, especially at the ward level.
“We are conducting ward congresses in 214 out of the 332 wards because when it concerns a large community, logistics and other challenges arise.
“I was here over a year ago to conduct the ward congress, but we could not complete the exercise due to logistical challenges and the expiration of some officials’ terms. Once elected, officials must serve their full four-year term.
“Those being elected today will serve four years, meaning their congress will differ from that held in 2023. This is why these exercises are not conducted simultaneously,” Omotoso said.
Confirming the security arrangements, Osun PDP chairman Sunday Bisi said the state leadership has provided a conducive atmosphere for the exercise and assured that tight security measures would be enforced across all wards.
“My duty is to host the committee in charge of the congress and ensure their environment is comfortable. The exercise must be hitch-free across all 214 wards. We have put robust security in place. On Friday, I met with the Commissioner of Police, who instructed DPOs in affected local governments to provide security.
“I also met with the Director of DSS in Osun State and his team, who mobilised for the exercise. Amotekun, the Civil Defence, and other security agencies are also involved. Security will be tight across the state,” Bisi added.
With the peaceful conduct of the congress so far, it appears Osun PDP has finally dispelled the lingering crises that troubled its ward congresses since November 2017, when factions led by former State chairman Mr Soji Adagunodo clashed over ward congress issues.
Meanwhile, the PDP in Ife Federal Constituency recently announced an amicable resolution of crises that had sparked a vote of no confidence against Osun State Deputy Governor, Mr Kola Adewusi, former National Secretary Prof Wale Oladipo, and another leader.
PUNCH Online reported on September 13, 2025, that Adewusi, speaking after a PDP stakeholders meeting he hosted in Ile-Ife, where party leaders agreed to set aside differences, said the divisions in the Federal Constituency had been resolved.
On September 1, PDP leaders in the constituency had passed a vote of no confidence in Adewusi, Oladipo, and Ife East PDP chairman Olasunkanmi Makinde, accusing them of anti-party activities and fraternising with a former House of Representatives member, Bimbo Ajilesoro, who defected to the All Progressives Congress.
A communiqué signed by 39 PDP leaders, including commissioners Biyi Odunlade (Political Affairs) and Dipo Eluwole (Education), condemned Ajilesoro’s defection and expressed disappointment at his continued association with the trio.
Addressing journalists, Adewusi dismissed concerns of disunity.
“We have forgotten the past and turned over a new leaf. PDP is united; there is no division. Even the tongue and mouth sometimes disagree, but today everything has been resolved. It’s a storm in a teacup,” he said.
He added that the reconciliation had the blessing of the senatorial chairman and other stakeholders, insisting, “The Devil wanted to play his game, but we won’t allow him.”
Osun East Central District PDP leader Olayiwola Famuyide praised Governor Adeleke for his role in resolving the feud.
At a separate reconciliation meeting attended by Adewusi, Deputy Senate Minority Leader Lere Oyewumi, State PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi, and Commissioners’ Forum Chairman Ganiyu Olaoluwa, Governor Adeleke attributed the crisis to communication gaps and urged party leaders to unite for future electoral success.
