We Followed Due Process,’ Says Akinoso as Authentic PDP Reclaims Molete Secretariat

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The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recognised by the party's national structure on Thursday said its deci

sion to reclaim the party's Molete secretariat in Ibadan was carried out strictly in line with the law, insisting that every necessary procedure was followed before taking possession of the office.

Addressing journalists shortly after the exercise, the Oyo State PDP Chairman, Professor Rhaman Akinoso, said the leadership deliberately chose the path of legality and restraint to avoid any breach of peace, stressing that security agencies and the party's national leadership were duly informed before the move.

"We followed due process. We went through the legal channels, informed the security agencies, and today we have come to reclaim our party office. From now on, this is where we will continue to administer the affairs of the party," Akinoso declared.

He explained that the leadership had exercised patience despite the prolonged dispute over the secretariat because it was determined not to associate the party with violence.

"Our next line of action is to continue our normal party activities. We will run the administration of the party from this office. We have been patient because we do not want to be associated with violence. Ordinarily, when people leave a party, they should do so peacefully and allow those who remain to continue using the party's property," he said.

Akinoso maintained that the leadership occupying the secretariat is the only one recognised under Nigerian law, dismissing claims that the PDP in Oyo State is divided into factions.

"There is nothing like a factional PDP. There is only one PDP recognised by law. The Supreme Court has given judgment to that effect, and we are the only recognised PDP in Nigeria. What you are seeing here is the extension of that recognised PDP in Oyo State," he stated.

The party chairman also disclosed that the PDP National Working Committee had been kept fully informed of the development, while security agencies received formal notification ahead of the exercise.

"The national leadership of the party has been informed. It is our responsibility to keep them updated, and they are aware of what is happening today. We also notified the security agencies through a formal letter. We followed all laid-down procedures, and I have a copy of the letter if you want to see it," he said.

Akinoso also dismissed speculation that the PDP could enter an arrangement that would see it operate under the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), describing such claims as unfounded.

"There is no way the PDP's logo will disappear from the ballot paper. If there is going to be any alliance, the APM should come under the PDP and use the PDP umbrella. The fact remains that there is only one PDP," he added.