A faction within the South-West chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party on Monday, April 20, 2026, dismissed claims that it had endorsed Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and criticised former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose. The group stated that such reports were not true and did not reflect the stance of the recognised leadership in the zone.
The reaction followed earlier claims that the South-West PDP had publicly backed Makinde’s administration and spoken against Fayose during a press briefing in Ibadan. Akinloye Oyeniyi, speaking for the faction, said no such official event took place and insisted that those behind the report were not acting on behalf of the party.
He explained that the zonal chairman, Deji Doherty, was in Abuja attending a National Executive Committee meeting at the time, and no authorised official of the zone held any press briefing in Ibadan. The faction added that the individuals linked to the announcement are not recognised within the party structure at any level.
The disagreement reflects a wider crisis within the PDP, where internal divisions have led to the formation of opposing blocs. One faction is aligned with Tanimu Turaki and has the backing of Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, while another group is linked to Abdulrahman Mohammed and supported by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as well as Fayose.
These divisions have led to ongoing legal disputes, with both sides seeking court decisions to determine control of the party. In the South-West, tensions have increased as Makinde and Fayose continue to disagree over party matters and national political issues.
The faction led by Oyeniyi maintained that the group behind the Ibadan claims lacks a proper structure and does not hold any legitimate position within the PDP. It also stated that official information from the South-West zone would only come through recognised channels under the leadership of Deji Doherty.
The group reaffirmed its loyalty to the leadership it recognises at the national level and urged the public and the media to ignore statements from unauthorised sources, stating that such actions are meant to create confusion within the party.