Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has emphasized the need for unity within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as political activities begins to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 presidential election.Sey
This was as the governor stated that the outcome of the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo state would indicate where Nigeria would be come 2027, and therefore, called on the party to unite to solidify a common front going into the coming guber poll.
Speaking today at the official commissioning of the South West Secretariat of the PDP named Soji Adagunodo House after the late PDP south west vice chairman, Makinde stated that the 2027 election would be a contest between the ruling All Progressives Congress and Nigerians.
The official commissioning of the PDP South West Secretariat also witnessed the convergence of former governors and leaders of the party in the region including Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), and the deputy governor of Oyo state, Barrister Bayo Lawal, and wife of the deceased, Mrs. Aderonke Adagunodo, among other dignitaries.
The national chairman of PDP, Alia Damagum, alongside the Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeeq Arapaja, led other national officials of the party to the event.
Westernmirror.com.ng reports that the late Adagunodo, who died in May, 2023 was until his death the South West vice chairman of the PDP.
In his address, Makinde articulated that the APC’s policies have not addressed the pressing issues faced by Nigerians and argued that the PDP was now more united and formidable to effectively challenge the APC to provide the kind of leadership being yearned for.
Speaking on the speculations surrounding 2027 presidential race particularly as regards rumored reports in the media, Makinde declared that no individual or group could set his political agenda for him and as such, would make his position known in due time.
Makinde, who eulogized late Adagunodo for his immense and significant contributions to the growth of the party in the South West as well as Osun state, announced the immediate appointment of the deceased son, Deacon Soji Adagunodo Jnr. as his Special Adviser on Regional IntegrationIntegration as well as another as a Special Assistant.
Emphasizing the need for the party to embrace unity to solidify its common front ahead of future elections, Makinde remarked that contrary to speculations that the ruling APC was infiltrating opposition parties to cause disaffection and disunity thereby, creating internal instability to weaken opposition parties ahead of 2027, it was imperative to note that even though such political schemes could not be ruled out, certain things must be securely under firm control of the party.
“If you’re accusing the ruling party that they’re the ones putting their hands in all other parties to ensure they don’t get their acts together so that there’ll be no opposition in 2027, my own position is that there are certain things you have under your own control.
“Whether me and governor Adeleke will cooperate for the growth and benefit of our partyparty under the south west states, it is beyond the ruling partyparty, it is between me and governor Adeleke.
“So, let us all work together, unite our party, that is all that er need to dodo because the next election will be APC vs Nigerians, not even going to be APC vs PDP. So, let us do our own bits, unite our party, and let the people of Nigeria speak.
“They’ve done it in Oyo state, they’ve done it in Osun state, they will do it in Nigeria. So, please don’t frete, don’t even think external people would have control over what will happen in our own party, yes! they may try, but it is only when we allow it.
“So, let us unite, I’m glad that we’re opening up this House, it’s a demonstration of our unity. I’m also glad that our Acting National chairman is here. The kind of story they would have loved to be hearing was that the suspension and counter suspension is still on but all that is behind us, we’re even more united to move forward.” Makinde said.
Makinde, who equally lauded Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state for his spirit of sportsmanship noted that even though the pre 2023 presidential election political dynamics pitched them at different camps, all divisive tendencies and political differences have now become issues of the past.
He said the party in the south west has grown more united and formidable and as such ready to add to the PDP controlled states in two weeks time when the people of Ondo state go to the poll to elect a new governor.
Makinde assured that the people of Ondo state have become wiser and would go to the poll in two weeks time to elect the PDP governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi as their next governor.
“So, I admonish the PDP all over the country, the way to demonstrate this is when you know one, two, or three people in Ondo state, call them, tell them PDP is united, tell them Ondo state election coming up two weeks from now, will give an indication of where Nigeria will be in 2027.
Earlier, Governor Ademola Adeleke in his address described the death of Adagunodo, who was also from Osun state, as a personal loss and assured that the legacies he left behind would be sustained.
Also describimg the occasion as a significant one, the Osun state governor, who against public expectation refused to in his usual habit, mount the podium dancing, charged PDP leaders to be united while lauding governor Makinde for putting up the edifice.
Speaking earlier, PDP Acting National Chairman, Alia Damagum, who commended Makinde for the edifice, said the gesture was a challenge thrown at other PDP governors in other regions to emulate by following suit.
Damagum noted that Adagunodo was instrumental to the growth of PDP in the south west region stating that he was not only versatile politically but also knowledgeable in legal matters affecting the party as the PDP had in time past made good used of his counsels during litigations.
Also present at the event were the PDP state chairmen across the the south west geopolitical zone, south west zonal executives, top state government functionaries, and Oyo state party executive members among others.
