Oyo ADC Leadership Validates Ayo Akinyemi as Registration Chairman Amid Parallel Leadership Dispute in Ibadan

Oyo ADC leadership affirms Ayo Akinyemi as registration committee head, dismissing Bisi Ilaka’s parallel claims. Membership revalidation continues across 33 LGAs.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 11, 2026, 7:01 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Independent Nigeria

Official Affirmation of Party Registration Leadership

The leadership of the African Democratic Congress in Oyo State has moved to resolve internal friction by formally recognizing Mr. Ayo Akinyemi as the legitimate head of the Membership Revalidation and Membership Registration (MRMR) Committee. Speaking at the party secretariat in Mokola, Ibadan, Publicity Secretary Barrister Bimpe Adelowo clarified that the committee’s mandate originates directly from the national leadership. This affirmation is intended to centralize all party registration efforts and eliminate confusion among the rank and file regarding which officials hold the authority to oversee the revalidation process. According to the state executive, the committee is the only body legally empowered to manage the party’s database in Oyo.

Dismissal of Parallel Committee Claims

The press briefing served as a direct response to a rival announcement made by Bisi Ilaka, a former Chief of Staff to the state governor, who had recently declared himself chairman of a similar committee. The party leadership explicitly dismissed Ilaka’s claims, noting that his parallel appointments were not recognized by the national headquarters in Abuja. Adelowo maintained that the only authentic committee was the one inaugurated on February 12, 2026, which remains the sole authority for conducting the membership exercise. The party urged those engaged in parallel activities to cease their efforts and reintegrate into the officially recognized fold to maintain organizational discipline.

Inclusive Structure Across Senatorial Districts

To demonstrate the legitimacy and transparency of the MRMR Committee, party officials highlighted its balanced geographic and political composition. The committee includes Professor Folake Tafita as secretary and features representatives drawn from all three senatorial districts: Oyo South, Oyo Central, and Oyo North. The leadership emphasized that the committee is designed to be inclusive, incorporating members with backgrounds in various political movements, including former associates of the Labour Party and the APC. By ensuring that the committee reflects the state’s diverse political and ethnic landscape, the ADC aims to present a united front ahead of the upcoming electoral cycles.