The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has elected Mr. Moshood Salvador, a factional chairman of the chapter, as its chairman.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Salvador and other executives of the chapter were elected at a closed-door congress at the King Seliat Hotel, Jibowu, Yaba, Lagos.
The list of the new executives was made available to NAN yesterday by the state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Taofik Gani.
Gani said the state officers were elected by consensus of the party leaders.
The other officers are Alhaji Hassan Waliu, Deputy Chairman; Prince Muiz Dosunmu, Secretary; Mr. Kunle Okunola, Organising Secretary; Mr Niyi Adams, Youth Leader; Mrs Shola Oladehinbo, Women Leader and Mr Taofik Gani, Publicity secretary.
Gani said members of the State Congress Committee met with the state’s party leaders and arrived at the consensus.
He said the five-member committee was headed by Chief Dubem Onyia.
According to Gani, notable leaders at the congress include Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, Senator Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, Capt. Tunji Shelle, Mr Jimi Agbaje and Otunba Segun Adewale.
The spokesman said the others included PDP House of Representatives members from the state and the only PDP member in Lagos State House of Assembly.
“By this consensus, we have concluded our state congress, and in the absence of any appeal resorting to any cancellation, the state PDP executive is set up with official powers to manage the party,” he said.
In an interview with NAN, Mr Segun Adewale, a former factional Chairman of the chapter, said he did not support the process by which the state executives emerged.
According to him, the position of the chairman was unilaterally decided by one leader.
He said: “The House of Representative members and I were against it, but for peace to reign, we allowed them to have their way as usual.
“I don’t see how an election can be won by selecting who and who get positions on the basis of who is your leader, without considering your ability, electoral value, education, managerial expertise.
“Positions were shared based on sentiments and loyalty.
“Real congress will bring an end to political hegemony and a paradigm shift in the political narratives of Lagos State because vibrant, young, grassroots leaders will emerge through credible congress.”
NAN reports that the chapter’s s Caretaker Committee Chairman, Chief Babatunde Solanke, died a few weeks ago after slumping at a hotel in Ikeja, the state capital.
The deceased had scheduled a meeting with some chieftains of the party in the state on a fateful day.
Solanke’s death led to the postponement of the local government and state congresses of the chapter
