PDP Appoints Arong Woman Leader, Toyese S’West Vice Chairman

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed Hon. Amina Divine Arong from Cross River State as the party’s new National Woman Leader.

The party also approved the appointment of Hon. Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese from Osun State as the party’s new National Vice Chairman (South West).

Arong, who holds a Diploma in Banking and Finance and B.Sc. in Accounting is to serve out the term of the late National Woman Leader, Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe, who died on Sunday, October 29, 2023.

According to a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the new National Woman Leader brings on board to the national leadership of the PDP her intellectual capacity, as well as experience, competence and vigour in mobilising women for the party at both the state and national levels.

The PDP noted with satisfaction Arong’s long standing commitment to the growth of the party particularly her leading roles in the mobilisation of several party women and youth groups at various levels, as well as in the conduct of party primaries and congresses in several parts of the country. 

It congratulated and tasked the new National Woman Leader to deploy her capacity and experience in working with other members of the National Working Committee for the continuing stability, growth and success of our great party. 

Also, the PDP has extended the tenure of all wards chairmen in Edo State for the next 30 days. 

The party in a statement by Ologunagba said the extension is in pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) to  approve the composition of the Edo State Ward Caretaker Committees to function for a period of 30 days effective today, February 1, 2024. 

Ologunagba explained that the decision of the NWC is predicated on the expiration of the tenure of the Edo State Ward Executive Committees. 

Consequently, he said that  the NWC has approved the appointment of the out-going Edo State Ward Executive Committees to function as Ward Caretaker Committees for a period of 30 days so as to avoid any vacuum in this very important organ of the party in Edo State. 

The NWC enjoined all party leaders, critical stakeholders and members of the PDP in Edo State to be guided by this and continue to work together in the overall interest of the party in the state.

Meanwhile, the new National Vice Chairman South West, Toyese, a lawyer and engineer who also served as the Deputy Director General of the 2023 PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, is to complete the tenure of the late National Vice Chairman (South West), Hon. Soji Adagunodo, who died on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, said, “The appointment of Hon. Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese which was ratified at the meeting of the South West Zonal Executive meeting of Thursday, January 25, 2024 is in accordance with the provision of Section 46 (7) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

“A practical political mobiliser, Hon. Toyese brings on board the leadership of our party a combination of his intellectual aptitude and years of experience, proficiencies and connections at the local government, state, zonal and national levels of party and political engagements.

“The PDP is proud of Hon. Toyese’s dedication to the stability, growth and success of the party, especially in his exceptionally untiring roles in mobilizing massively for the party at various levels.

“Such commitment is evident in Hon. Toyese’s roles as the Secretary, Campaign Committee for the election of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola as Osun State Governor, Deputy Chairman of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s Campaign Committee, Deputy Director General Atiku/Okowa Campaign Committee in addition to other critical assignments including serving as National Delegates in PDP Conventions,” PDP spokesman said.

The PDP congratulated Toyese on his new assignment and charged him to use the position to further “unite, galvanise and energise the party in the South West Zone while working with other leaders for the continuing success of our great party.”