We Won’t Let PDP Be Held Down for Another Party to be in Power – Makinde
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has vowed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not be weakened to help another political party remain in power.
Politics Nigeria reports that Makinde made this declaration in Ibadan on Tuesday during the commissioning of a new Oyo State PDP Secretariat. The building was donated by the governor and handed over to the national leadership of the party.
The secretariat was named after a former Oyo State PDP chairman, Chief Omokunmi Mustapha, in recognition of his role in rebuilding the party in the state.
The event was attended by members of the PDP National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, and other top party leaders from across the country.
Makinde said the PDP had suffered internal problems since it lost power at the federal level in 2015. He explained that some individuals took advantage of the leadership vacuum at that time and attempted to control the party for selfish reasons.
According to him, such actions weakened the party and created division among members for several years.
The governor said those who were bent on destroying the PDP had now been expelled from the party. He added that the PDP would no longer allow internal forces to work against its survival and progress.
Makinde expressed confidence in the judiciary to resolve all legal disputes affecting the party. He said the courts would eventually restore stability and ensure that justice prevails.
He insisted that false claims and propaganda against the PDP would not last forever, stressing that truth would ultimately overcome lies.
The governor also criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over recent comments on the Oyo PDP and the national leadership of the party. Makinde said Wike had no moral right to interfere in Oyo State PDP affairs, especially given the unresolved issues within the Rivers State chapter of the party.
Makinde explained that the newly commissioned secretariat was named after Chief Omokunmi Mustapha because of his contribution to the PDP’s victory in Oyo State in 2019. He said Mustapha played a key role in mobilising party members and restoring confidence in the PDP structure at the time.
Several party leaders praised the governor for the gesture and for keeping the PDP united in Oyo State despite internal challenges at the national level.
Among those who spoke at the event were former First Lady of Oyo State, Mutiat Ladoja; former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; PDP South-West Vice Chairman, Kamorudeen Ajisafe; and Chairman of the Oyo State Elders Council, Dr Saka Balogun.
They described the new secretariat as a symbol of commitment to the party’s future and commended Makinde for providing leadership during a difficult period for the PDP.
The Oyo State PDP Chairman, Dayo Ogungbenro, said the project reflected Makinde’s dedication to strengthening party structures and supporting members at all levels.
The ceremony was attended by former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau; Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin; PDP National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki; and PDP National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, among other party leaders.
In a related development, Governor Makinde had earlier donated a secretariat to the South-West PDP in 2024 in honour of the late former National Vice Chairman of the party in the zone, Soji Adagunodo.
