By Adeyinka Adeniran
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Friday said the ongoing political coalition across various party lines is not in anyway a threat to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
Describing those involved as people with antecedents of moving from one party to another, the governor said his expectations of any serious party leader is to address whatever challenge that is facing the party head on, in the stead of jumping ship at any slightest opportunity.
This is as Southwest Zonal Caucus of the party reaffirms its unwavering loyalty to the PDP and commitment to its unity, stability, progress and success at all levels in the Zone and across the country, saying it is not part of any coalition.
Makinde spoke while fielding questions from reporters short after the Southwest Caucus meeting of the party, which held at the Soji Adagunodo Southwest PDP Zonal Secretariat, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The meeting had in attendance leaders, delegates and stakeholders of the party from Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti and Lagos State.
Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke was represented at the meeting by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi.
Speaking on the coalition, Governor Makinde said the questions people should ask about those behind the coalition move should be about their antecedents, wondering if changing party from time to time translate to repentance or having anything to offer.
He said, with the Southwest Caucus meeting, Nigerians must know that that the party in the region is united and together.
He said, “We want the whole world, the entire country to know that the PDP in the Southwest, we’re united, we are together.
“Coalition is not a threat to the PDP. Who are these people in this coalition? They have been in some parties before, whether PDP or APC. What are their antecedents? And does it mean that every time they move from one party to the other, they have repented or they have changed or they have something new to offer the people?
“Those are salient questions. If this building here, the roof is leaking, as leaders of PDP in the South West, are we going to abandon the building and go somewhere else to take refuge? We will stay inside here and fix it and let the people know that we are responsible leaders and we have the interest of the people at heart. That will be my own expectation for anybody that has anything against this party.”
On the threat by some members of the coalition saying they will remain in the PDP but work for the coalition, the governor said people can say whatever they like but that the party, an institution with laid down structure has its own way of dealing with issues as such at the right time.
“A lot of people can say whatever they like. But in a party like PDP, that is an institution, we have our own ways and means of dealing with such issues. And when we get to the point where we have to deal with such issues, I give you the assurance, we will”, Makinde added.
Addressing the delegates earlier, the governor narrated how the refusal of the party’s Presidential flag bearer in the 2023 election to allow the office of the party’s national chairman zoned to the South resulted in the formation of the G5.
He said he was sure Nigerians are solidly behind the PDP noting that the use of coercion by the ruling party to force opposition party to dump their party is not ideal for the nations democracy.
He vowed to remain in the party no matter the pressure from the ruling party, saying “I just want to encourage you and to again reaffirm my commitment to our party, the PDP. If in the whole of Nigeria, it is only one governor that will be left in the PDP, it will be Seyi Makinde.”
Presenting the communique after the meeting, the Southwest PDP Zonal Publicity Secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati said the PDP in Southwest is intact, urging all organs and relevant bodies of the party to remain focused and continue to work assiduously towards the successful conduct of the scheduled National Convention to further strengthen and reposition the PDP for the task ahead.
The communique read in part, “The Caucus reaffirms its unwavering loyalty to the PDP and commitment to the unity, stability, progress and success of the party at all levels in the Zone and across the country.
“The Caucus commends and appreciates the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the Executive Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke and other leaders of the PDP in the Zone for their untiring roles in ensuring the stability and growth of the PDP as the prominent political Party in the South West.
“The Caucus reaffirms that the PDP in South West is intact and urges all Organs and relevant bodies of the Party to remain focused and continue to work assiduously towards the successful conduct of the scheduled National Convention to further strengthen and reposition the PDP for the task ahead.
“The Caucus states in that it is not part of the reported Coalition and urges all members of the PDP to remain united, steadfast and continue to stand behind our leaders in the Zone in navigating through all issues at the zonal and national levels.
“The Caucus however supports the position of the National Working Committee (NWC) that our Party remains open to working with other well-meaning like-minded citizens in the collective effort to rescue our nation from the stranglehold of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The Caucus resolves to intensify efforts to ensure the victory of our great Party in the upcoming bye-elections in Oyo and Ogun States as well as Local Government Council election in Lagos State. The Caucus is confident that the PDP as a Party of choice in the Southwest and Nigeria at large will record sweeping victory in the coming elections.”
It reads further, “The Caucus demands that the Federal Government immediately release the withheld Osun State Local Government Allocation. The withholding of the Osun State Local Government Allocation by the Federal Government is unconstitutional, unwarranted and a violation of the rights and wellbeing of the people of Osun State.
“The Caucus expresses very serious concern over the worsening insecurity and economic hardship in the country under the APC administration. The Caucus reechoes the declaration of Governor Makinde that the 2027 election will be between Nigerians and the APC, with Nigerians ultimately triumphing under the banner of the PDP.
“The Caucus again commends Governor Makinde and Governor Adeleke for their people-oriented leadership in ensuring peace, stability, security and infrastructural development in the South West Zone.
“The Caucus urges Nigerians not to lose hope but remain resolute and continue to rally with the PDP as our Party leads the charge to rescue our nation from the misrule of the APC.”
In their separate goodwill messages, the parry leaders from across all the six states of the zone gave a report of situation in their various states while also reiterating the commitment and loyalty to the party.
Some of the leaders at the meeting include: Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, Deputy National Secretary, Arc Kosedo, National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, Former Deputy Governors Hazeem Gbolarunmi (Oyo), Ambassador Omolade Oluwateru (Ondo).
Others are: Ex-National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Ex-National Vice Chairman, Dr Eddy Olafeso, Ex-National Vice Chairman, Makanjuola Ogundipe, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, Chief Saka Balogun, Rt Hon. Tunji Odeyemi, Otunba Ajibola Kalejaiye, Prince Kola Adewusi among others.
