The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State is facing a worsening internal crisis as some aggrieved members have kicked against the recently held state congress that produced the Victor Aisida-led executive.

Mr Aisida had, last month, emerged as the new state chairman during the congress, in which the 2024 governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, was notably absent. Mr Aisida succeeded Bakitta Bello, who had completed the tenure of the late Fatai Adams.

Other newly elected officials at the congress include Akin Oyewole (deputy chairman), Oluseye Olujimi (secretary), Jolade Aladetan (publicity secretary), and Woke Akindiose (legal adviser).

The aggrieved members under the aegis of “Kick Against Deceit” alleged that the congress was manipulated to serve the interests of a few leaders.

In a statement signed by the group’s spokesperson, Bamidele Ojo, the members described the congress as a “charade.”

“Having thoroughly deliberated on the process and the conduct of the exercise, we concluded that the outcome of the charade must not be allowed to see the light of day; otherwise, we would be laying the wrong foundation in the pursuit of our democratic engagements as we prepare for the 2027 general elections,” the aggrieved members stated.

Rising from a meeting held in Akure, under the chairman of the group, Olaniyi Ogungbuji, the members said they were told that the congress would maintain the current party positions in the respective senatorial districts as they were previously occupied and equally resolved to return those who have not spent up to eight years in office.

“We, however, realised that what was preached was not followed in any way. The positions were not only swapped from one senatorial district to the other, but also those who had not spent up to eight years were removed without any justifiable reasons.

“We had therefore expected that since they have reneged on the initial agreement of retaining the offices in the previous districts and local governments, the contest ought to have been made open rather than secretly shopping for an inactive member of the party and thereby stalling healthy competition, which could have produced the best, needed in the prevailing circumstances.

“At the end of the scam, some local governments enjoyed both national and state positions, while some local governments did not have any position, depending on the presence of any member of the leadership cartel in such local governments. The positions were not consequently given based on competence, equity, or fairness to local governments but on a ‘chop-make-I-chop basis’,” they said.

The members also vowed to challenge the outcome of the congress.

The meeting was attended by Olaniyi Ogungbuji, Charles Adeduro, B.J. Lawal, Pat Ojo, Adebayo Adeyemi Adedipe, Bamidele Ojo, and Caroline Olubitan.

Others at the meeting include Olowokanga Ayininuola, Dagbatan Anjorin Peter, Comrade Olawale Ijanusi, Oyinlusi Yemisi, and Eyiyemi Oluwatuyi.

The state spokesman for the party, Leye Igbabo, had resigned from his position amid the crisis, citing an unfriendly and hostile environment.