Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has emphasized the importance of building a robust and cohesive Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before discussing potential presidential candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking to journalists after a closed-door PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, Makinde underscored the need for party unity as a foundation for electoral success.
The summit, convened to deliberate on zoning arrangements ahead of the PDP’s upcoming national convention, saw significant attendance from key party figures.
However, loyalists of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike were notably absent, having earlier labeled the meeting as “illegal” and “exclusionary.”
Makinde clarified that the summit did not focus on selecting a presidential candidate.
“We haven’t even gotten there,” he stated.
“We need to have a party first before you start talking about presidential candidates. If we don’t have a party, anything that you are trying to do will fall flat.”
He stressed that the party’s current efforts are geared toward fostering a “virile and united PDP that Nigerians will be proud of and again will believe in.”
Highlighting the importance of consultation, Makinde noted that the summit facilitated critical decisions for the party’s future.
“Democracy is about the minority having their say and the majority having their way,” he said, adding that the south had made “far-reaching decisions” to prepare for the November national convention.
He expressed confidence that these efforts would counter claims that the PDP is “dead” or a “carcass,” asserting, “The calibre of people that attended the meeting has proved those who claim PDP is dead wrong.”
The summit, chaired by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, included notable attendees such as Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke (who briefly attended before addressing governance issues in Osogbo), Enugu State’s deputy governor representing Governor Peter Mbah, PDP Board of Trustees Chairman Sen. Adolphus Wabara, and 12 of the 17 southern members of the PDP Zoning Committee.
Other prominent figures present included former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa-Ibom), and former Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker Mrs. Jumoke Akinjide.
Makinde emphasized the need for inclusivity, stating, “Consultation means you keep reaching out, you keep engaging. We are trying to get all stakeholders, all tendencies in the PDP together so that we can give a credible alternative to Nigerians in the years ahead.”
Although the meeting was not a statutory requirement under the PDP constitution, he defended its necessity, saying, “Democracy requires inclusivity, reaching out, and ensuring that all stakeholders are carried along.”
Reflecting on recent electoral successes, Makinde pointed to the PDP’s victory in a recent Oyo State by-election and its strong second-place finishes in most of the 12 southern states as evidence of the party’s vitality.
“If we continue to work hard, if we continue to strive hard, if we continue to bring our people together, we will get to a point where Nigerians will really start listening to us,” he said, urging continued support for the PDP as it prepares for its National Executive Council meeting and beyond.
