A fresh leadership crisis has engulfed the Oyo State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the conduct of parallel state congresses by rival factions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development, which underscores deepening divisions within the party, saw two separate congresses held on Saturday at different locations within Ibadan.
Reports revealed that one of the congresses took place at the party’s state secretariat located in the Oke Itunu area of Ibadan, while the second was held simultaneously at an event centre along the old Ife Road axis of the city.
The parallel exercises resulted in the emergence of two different sets of state executives, each laying claim to legitimacy.
At the congress held at the party office, the incumbent chairman, Mr Yinka Olona, was re-elected to continue leading the party in the state.
Other officials elected alongside him include Alhaji Tiamiyu Abidikugu as Deputy State Chairman, Barrister Bimpe Adelowo as State Publicity Secretary, and Alhaja Fatimoh Salawu as State Women Leader.
The congress also produced Barrister Dauda Jinadu as State Legal Adviser, Hon. James Obasa as Financial Secretary, Chief Ayobami Ojedokun as Organising Secretary, and Niyi Lekan Ogunbowale as Youth Leader.
Others are Hon. Kazeem Abidemi Alarape as State Treasurer and Dr Oke Adebowale as Coordinator on Election Matters/INEC Liaison.
However, at the parallel congress held at the event centre along old Ife Road, another faction of the party elected its own leadership.
The exercise produced Hon. Jimoh Adelowo as State Chairman, with Remi Abidogun emerging as Deputy Chairman.
Other officials elected by the faction include Fatai Adelakun as Oyo South Senatorial District Chairman, Simeon Adegboye as Oyo Central Senatorial Chairman, and Alhaji Ajibade Khalid as Oyo North Senatorial Chairman.
Daud Temitope was also announced as the Youth Leader of the faction.
According to Daily Post, sources within the party disclosed that the crisis is rooted in a struggle for control of the party’s structure in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Yinka Olona-led executive has reportedly vowed to resist any attempt to hijack the party machinery.
The faction is said to be insisting on its legitimacy, citing its conduct of the congress at the recognised party secretariat.
It was further gathered that the division within the party is not limited to the state level, as parallel congresses were also conducted at the ward and local government levels across Oyo State.