The political atmosphere within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has grown tense ahead of the Ekiti governorship primaries, following sharp criticism from Dr. Funso Ayeni, one of the party’s leading aspirants, over the suspension of the National Organising Secretary, Hon. Umar Bature.
Dr. Ayeni, in a statement issued from his campaign office in Ado-Ekiti, described the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) as a “calculated and autocratic move” intended to suppress dissenting voices within the party.
He accused the leadership of deliberately undermining internal democracy and attempting to manipulate the upcoming primary process.
According to him, Bature’s alleged wrongdoing was merely insisting on adherence to the party’s constitution and ensuring transparency in internal affairs.
“The Organising Secretary’s office is pivotal to the conduct of credible primaries. Suspending him at this critical period raises serious questions about the motives of the leadership,” Ayeni stated.
He further warned that any attempt to impose candidates or alter the delegate list would meet stiff resistance from members and stakeholders in Ekiti.
“The people of Ekiti will not accept any arrangement that undermines fairness and the will of the majority. We are ready to defend democracy within our party,” he declared.
Ayeni called for the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of Hon. Bature and other suspended officers, emphasizing that reconciliation and justice were essential to restoring the party’s credibility.
He noted that the current crisis, if not properly managed, could jeopardize PDP’s prospects in the forthcoming election.
Political observers have expressed concern that the development might deepen divisions within the party ahead of the primaries. With multiple aspirants, including Dr. Wole Oluyede and Peter Obafemi, vying for the ticket, stakeholders fear the crisis could weaken the PDP’s position against rival parties in the 2026 Ekiti gubernatorial race.