PDP South-West Faction Denies Backing Makinde, Rejects Claims of Fayose Condemnation

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West zone has dismissed reports that it endorsed Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the party’s National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN).

In a statement issued on Monday, the group’s Zonal Publicity Secretary, Akinloye Oyeniyi, also refuted claims that the zone condemned former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, describing the reports as false and misleading.

The denial comes amid a prolonged leadership crisis within the PDP, which has split the party into two major factions. One faction, led by Turaki, enjoys the backing of Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed. The opposing faction, under Abdulrahman Mohammed, is supported by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike and Fayose, among others. Multiple court cases arising from the dispute are still pending before various courts.

Earlier on Monday, a separate statement from the PDP South-West leadership, issued through its Zonal Publicity Secretary Sanya Atofarati, had condemned Fayose while commending Makinde’s administration for maintaining stability and delivering democratic dividends in Oyo State.

But Oyeniyi, speaking for a rival faction, dismissed that development as the work of “organised impostors” who do not represent the party at any level.

“The Zonal Chairman, Engr. Deji Doherty, was away in Abuja attending the 108th meeting of the National Executive Committee of our great party, and no zonal officials held any press conference. The claim of an Ibadan press conference is therefore a barefaced lie,” the statement read.

Oyeniyi added that those behind the Ibadan gathering have no mandate and are not recognised by any PDP organ from the ward to the national level. He noted that the group lacks a Zonal Vice Chairman, a key requirement for any structure claiming to represent the PDP in the South-West.

The faction reaffirmed its loyalty to the Abdulrahman-led National Working Committee and to Wike, advising what it called impostors to retrace their steps and rejoin the party through proper channels.

The South-West PDP faction urged the public, party faithful, and the media to disregard the earlier publication, stressing that official communications of the zone will continue to be issued only through recognised party channels under the leadership of Engr. Deji Doherty.