A professor at the University of Ibadan, Abdulrahman Akinoso, has been elected chairman of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State aligned with Nyesom Wike.

Akinoso emerged alongside 38 other executive members during a party congress held on Saturday in Ibadan.

Among those elected were Abiola Olaonipekun as secretary, Latifah Latifu as women leader, and A. Adeleke as youth leader.

The congress took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in the Oke Ado area of the city and was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the police and other security agencies, as well as party stakeholders.

Members of the electoral committee who supervised the exercise included Diran Odeyemi, who served as chairman, alongside other officials such as Awoniyi Tolulope, Babatunde Gbadamosi, Stepheine Oyechere, Yusuf Abidakun, Olumide Aguda and Phillips Adeniyi.

In his inaugural remarks, Akinoso called on party members to put aside internal disagreements and work together to strengthen the party.

He said the new executives would focus on coordinating party activities, promoting unity among members and preparing the party for future elections.

According to him, the immediate priority is to align with preparations for the 2027 general elections and support the party’s upcoming e-membership registration exercise.

“A political party is only relevant if it wins elections,” he said, urging members to concentrate their efforts on rebuilding the party and expanding its membership base.