A former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Kennedy Peretei, has emerged as the pioneer Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the state.
Peretei was elected on Monday during the party’s inaugural state congress held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, where delegates adopted a consensus arrangement to ratify the new executive council.
The congress, which took place at the Royal Birds Hotel and Towers, Alagbaka, drew about 150 delegates from the 18 local government areas of the state.
Chairman of the Congress Committee, Emmanuel Alli, declared that the exercise was conducted in line with directives from the party’s national leadership and reflected the collective will of members.
Other members of the newly constituted executive include Oluwole Akinmuyisan as Deputy Chairman, Babatunde Daudu as Secretary, 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.
In his acceptance speech, Peretei described Nigeria as being at a critical political crossroads, noting that the NDC was already gaining significant traction nationwide ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He disclosed that more than 10 million Nigerians registered as members of the party within 48 hours, describing the figure as evidence of growing public dissatisfaction and a demand for political change.
According to him, the figures are verifiable and not artificially generated, adding that interested persons can confirm through the party’s website.
Peretei also alleged attempts by the federal government to stifle opposition voices, stressing the need to maintain an open and inclusive democratic space.
“There is a deliberate attempt to strangle opposition, but this country belongs to all of us. The political space must be enlarged for people to express themselves,” he said.
He warned against any attempt to dominate Nigeria’s political landscape, insisting that the country is too vast to be controlled by any individual or group.
The NDC chairman added that the surge in membership reflects widespread frustration among Nigerians and a growing appetite for a credible political alternative ahead of the next general elections.
He 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 unity within the party.
“With the successful conclusion of this congress, those in power are aware that a formidable opposition has emerged. We will hold them accountable to the people,” he stated.
