Two factions of the Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held parallel local government congresses across the state’s 20 local government areas on Saturday, September 14.

The parallel congresses, which followed similar ward congresses held on August 31, 2024, saw two sets of executives emerge for all 18 available positions in each local government area.

The factions, led by the 2023 governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, and the coalition led by the trio of a former PDP governorship aspirant, Otunba Jimi Adebisi Lawal (JAL); the 2023 deputy governorship candidate, Hon. Abdulkadir Adekunle Akinlade, and the immediate past State Chairman, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele, have been at odds over the party’s leadership.

According to reports, two sets of executives emerged for each of the 18 available positions across all LGAs.

In Ijebu Ode Local Government Area, for instance, the JAL faction produced Hon. Gbede Oluwasegun as party chairman, while the Adebutu faction has Mr. Kehinde Ajetunmobi as party chairman.

Similar parallel executives have emerged in Abeokuta South Local Government Area and Yewa South Local Government Area.

In Abeokuta South Local Government Area, while the Lawal group produced Hon. Adeyemi Surajudeen as party chairman, the Adebutu group has Mr. Sanusi Sakiru as party chairman.

In Yewa South Local Government Area, the Lawal group produced Hon. Ogundare Samuel, and the Adebutu group has Mr. Lateef Onifade as party chairman.

It was claimed that the parallel congresses were caused by disagreements over the use of registers authenticated by the national PDP leadership for the ward congress.

These authenticated registers, reportedly favouring the Lawal faction, were supposed to contain the names of delegates eligible to vote and be voted for at the elective congresses, in accordance with Section 8 (10) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).