Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will continue to identify with the Nigerian masses and their aspirations despite the gale of defection that has hit the party.
The governor stated this on Wednesday, at the official inauguration of the newly elected PDP South West zonal executive members held at the party’s zonal secretariat, Soji Adagunodo House, Old Ife Road, Ibadan.
Makinde, who added that the 2027 election would be determined by hungry Nigerians and not politicians, stressed that the party would not be overly bothered about members defecting to other parties.
He charged members of the party not to be discouraged by the recent cases of defection from the party to opposition parties, noting that PDP remains the only party in Nigeria with very strong institutions.
Reiterating his support for the zonal executive, Makinde said, “My brother, the Executive Governor of Osun State, has already mentioned that the two of us will support our zonal Exco so that you can deliver. I am just reaffirming that. We will support this Exco to deliver on its mandate.”
While appreciating members of the party for their steadfastness, Makinde said, “This is a demonstration of your commitment to this party, it is not about positions. And I can give you the assurance that there are still some positions coming. We are going to have the National Convention and would be asked to do one or two things. Rest assured that we will not forget you, and God will not also forget you.
“People have been asking us as leaders of this party that a lot of people are decamping, even governors, and some others are threatening to decamp and all of that. And they said, look, where is this party going?
“Well, I have good news; I said to the people that we will not be bothered until hunger has decamped to the ruling party, APC.
“The day hunger decamps, they should come and tell us and, then, we will know what to do. Because there is hunger in the land and majority of the people that are hungry would determine what 2027 would look like.
“So, don’t be bothered. If any governors like, let them decamp. We will stay with the people of Nigeria.
“I read an analysis where they said the PDP has been building strong men but not strong institutions. I beg to differ. PDP lost power at the federal level in 2015 but PDP did not die. After then, I read an article sometime around 2017 which was about PDP and its many crises in Oyo State. Despite the crises, we won election in Oyo State under PDP.
“We are here today to inaugurate the South West Executive for the PDP. How much of an institution do you still want? They may sponsor so many people against the party but don’t be discouraged, PDP is the only party in Nigeria with very strong institutions. Have you heard about APC holding South West congress? After this speech of mine, mark it, they will quickly go and do South West Congress.
“This is a party that only held NEC meeting once since the advent of this current administration. PDP’s NEC meeting, I believe the next one we are having is the 300th NEC meeting. So, PDP is the only party in Nigeria with very strong institutions.
“As leaders, we are committed to even further strengthen the institutions within the PDP. So, hold on to your party and I will repeat again that 2027 would not be APC versus PDP but APC versus the people that are hungry in Nigeria.”
Also in his remarks, the Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, who described the emergence of the new leaders of the party as a good omen in the South West, urged the newly inaugurated executive members to strengthen the party structures at all levels through inclusive practices and build the party from the grassroots so as to maintain and gain more electoral territory. He charged them to embark on aggressive peace building across the South West states and bring aggrieved members of the party together in unity.