Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has voiced strong skepticism regarding the nascent political coalition forming ahead of the 2027 general elections, asserting that it poses no substantial threat to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking on Friday following a South-West PDP caucus meeting at the party’s zonal secretariat in Ibadan, Governor Makinde directly challenged the credibility of the new alliance. He pointedly questioned the individuals comprising the coalition, remarking, “Who are these people in this coalition? They have been in some political parties before.”
Governor Makinde further probed their motives and capacity, asking, “What are their antecedents and does it mean that every time they move from one party to another they have repented, changed or they have something new to offer the people?” He concluded by emphasizing that “Those are the salient questions,” casting doubt on the coalition’s genuine impact or fresh appeal.
“If the roof of this PDP building here is leaking, as leaders of the party are we going to abandon the building and go elsewhere to take refuge?
“We will stay inside here, fix it and let the people know that we are responsible leaders and that we have the interest of the people at heart.
“That will be my expectation for anybody that have anything against this party,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, a communique issued by the zonal Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Sanya Atofarati, the party demanded immediate release of the withheld local governments allocation in Osun.
The party asserted that the withholding of the allocation by the Federal Government was unconstitutional, unwarranted and a violation of the rights and wellbeing of the people of Osun.
It further urged members of the PDP to remain united, steadfast and continue to stand behind its zonal leaders in navigating through all issues at the zonal and national levels.
The caucus reaffirmed that the PDP in South-West is intact and urged all organs and relevant bodies of the party to remain focused.
It charged all members to continue working assiduously towards the successful conduct of the scheduled national convention, to further strengthen and reposition the party for the task ahead.
The caucus commended Gov. Makinde, his Osun counterpart, Sen. Ademola Adeleke and other leaders of the PDP in the zone for their untiring roles in ensuring the stability and growth of the party.
