...To get all news updates, Join our WhatsApp Group (Click Here)
Connect with us on Linkedin (Click Here)
Ibadan, Oyo State — Political tension boiled over in Ona-Ara Local Government Area on Thursday as aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, staged a coordinated protest against what they described as a clandestine plan by party leaders to force the return of the Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Abiodun Mohammed Fadeyi, for a third term as representative of Ona-Ara State Constituency.
The demonstration, which drew dozens of party faithful and residents, marked the most visible expression yet of growing discontent within the PDP grassroots over what many perceive as a blatant disregard for internal democracy and the will of the people.
Protesters converged at key points across Ona-Ara, wielding placards with pointed messages that left no doubt about their stance. “No Room for Third Term,” “We Don’t Want Fadeyi in Ona-Ara,” “Respect Our Elders,” and “No More Fadeyi” were among the inscriptions that dotted the protest grounds.
The chants and placards reflected a deeper frustration. The belief that Ona-Ara’s political representation has become entrenched in the hands of one individual, to the exclusion of other qualified and willing party loyalists. For the demonstrators, the issue is not personal animosity toward Fadeyi, but a principled rejection of political monopoly and the erosion of democratic choice within the party.
The aggrieved members accused a section of the PDP leadership of attempting to impose Fadeyi on the constituency despite mounting opposition from both party stakeholders and the electorate. According to them, the plan to return the Deputy Speaker for another term is being pushed through backroom negotiations that sideline the voices of grassroots members who have sustained the party at the ward and local government levels.
“This constituency is not a personal political territory,” one protester declared. “We have served, mobilized, and defended this party. We deserve the right to choose who represents us.”
The protesters argued that after two terms, the time has come for fresh leadership that reflects the current aspirations of Ona-Ara residents. They maintained that allowing Fadeyi to return for a third term would amount to ignoring the clear demand for renewal and would set a dangerous precedent for the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The open rejection of a third term underscores the depth of the division within the local PDP structure. It also signals that the protest is not merely symbolic but part of a coordinated push to reshape the party’s candidate selection process in Ona-Ara and restore open contest to the forefront of party politics.
The aggrieved members warned that ignoring their concerns could plunge the PDP into a deeper internal crisis in Ona-Ara, with potential consequences for the party’s overall performance in the local government during the next election cycle.
“The PDP risks division and loss of goodwill if it continues to prioritize personal interests over collective will,” a party loyalist stated. “We are not against the party; we are against imposition. If the leadership listens now, we can still present a united front in 2027. If not, the consequences will be on them.”
They stressed that democracy within the party cannot be sacrificed on the altar of political convenience.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Oyo State PDP leadership nor Hon. Abiodun Mohammed Fadeyi had issued an official response to the protest or the allegations of a third-term agenda. The silence has only fueled speculation that the plan to return Fadeyi is being quietly advanced at higher levels without adequate consultation with the local structure.
Political observers note that the longer the leadership remains silent, the more legitimacy the protesters’ claims gain among undecided party members. In a constituency where grassroots loyalty has historically determined electoral outcomes, the failure to engage could prove costly.
The Ona-Ara episode is not an isolated incident. Across Oyo State, whispers of imposition and third-term agendas have been testing the cohesion of the ruling PDP. The party’s ability to manage these internal disagreements transparently will be critical to its chances of retaining control in 2027.
For many within the PDP, the protest in Ona-Ara is a reminder that grassroots loyalty cannot be taken for granted. If the leadership fails to balance the interests of incumbents with the demand for fresh representation, it risks alienating the very base that delivered victory in previous elections.
With the protest now public, the ball is in the court of the Oyo PDP leadership. How it responds will determine whether Ona-Ara remains a PDP stronghold or becomes a flashpoint of internal revolt that weakens the party’s standing ahead of 2027.
For the protesters, the fight is far from over. They have vowed to sustain the pressure until the party respects the principle of open contest and allows the people of Ona-Ara to choose their representative freely.
As one placard put it, “Respect Our Elders. Respect Our Choice.”
...To get all news updates, Join our WhatsApp Group (Click Here)
Connect with us on Linkedin (Click Here)
