Ondo NDC Chooses Leaders, Decries Suppression of Opposition

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ondo State on Monday elected its state executive council, warning against alleged moves to suppress opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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‎The party, at its inaugural congress held in Akure, the state capital, produced former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Kennedy Peretei, as its pioneer chairman.

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‎The congress had about 150 delegates from the 18 local government areas of the state, who ratified the emergence of the executive through a consensus arrangement.

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‎Chairman of the Congress Committee, Emmanuel Alli, said the exercise was conducted in line with directives from the party’s national leadership, noting that it reflected the collective will of members across the state.

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‎Alli announced other members of the executive to include Oluwole Akinmuyisan as deputy chairman and Babatunde Daudu as secretary. Others are Ayodeji Joy as woman leader, Samuel Olutosin as organising secretary, Owolola Adebola as publicity secretary, Asiwaju Bernard, as vice chairman (South), and Olutubosun Isijola, as vice chairman (North), among others.

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‎In his acceptance speech, Peretei described Nigeria as being at a critical political crossroads, stressing that the NDC was already gaining momentum nationwide ahead of the next general elections.

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‎He claimed that more than 10 million Nigerians registered with the party within 48 hours, attributing the development to widespread frustration among citizens and a growing desire for change.

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‎According to him, the figures are verifiable on the party’s website, dismissing insinuations that the numbers were exaggerated or manipulated.

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‎Peretei, however, raised concerns over what he described as attempts by the Federal Government to stifle opposition voices, insisting that Nigeria’s democratic space must remain open and inclusive.

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‎“There is a deliberate attempt to suppress opposition, but this country belongs to all Nigerians. The political space must be enlarged to allow people to freely express themselves,” he said.

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‎He warned that any effort to dominate the political landscape would fail, stressing that Nigeria is too large and diverse to be controlled by any individual or group.

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‎The NDC chairman said the growing support for the party was a reflection of the yearning by Nigerians for a credible alternative, expressing confidence that the momentum would translate into electoral success in 2027.

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‎Peretei also assured that the Ondo chapter of the party would provide strong opposition, noting that the peaceful conduct of the congress and consensus among stakeholders had strengthened internal unity.

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‎“We are now a formidable opposition. With the successful conduct of this congress, those in government know that a new force has emerged and will hold them accountable,” he added.

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