Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has proclaimed that the upcoming 2027 election will serve as a pivotal moment for the Nigerian electorate, framing it as a choice between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the citizens themselves.
Speaking at the commissioning of the new ultra-modern Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Southwest zonal secretariat in Ibadan, which was named in honor of the late Soji Adagunodo, a former Southwest Chairman of the PDP, Makinde criticized the APC’s governance, asserting that the party has failed to fulfill its promises.
“The APC has been at the helm of affairs in this country, and they have woefully failed us. The people of Nigeria must now decide whether to retain them in power or vote them out,” he stated.
Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, he added, “Nigerians are suffering, and there must be an end to it. We need to unite and push for change.” Makinde stressed that the forthcoming election will not merely be a contest between the APC and the PDP, but rather a referendum on the APC’s governance, with the Nigerian populace at the center of this decision-making process.
Addressing internal conflicts within the PDP, Makinde urged the party’s leadership to take decisive action, stating, “The enemies of the party are within, not the opposition parties.” He called for unity among party members to heal rifts, insisting that the party must maintain its strength in the Southwest: “We must not allow the ruling party to disrupt the peace we have worked hard to create.”
On his potential presidential aspirations, Makinde remarked, “I am old enough to make my own decisions about contesting or not. The current realities in the country will guide my choices,” reflecting a thoughtful consideration of the political landscape as the 2027 election approaches.
In a related development, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke emphasized the need for deeper introspection within the PDP to resolve internal conflicts. “We must engage in honest discussions and reflections to heal our party and move forward together,” he noted, stressing the importance of unity and collaboration among party members.
“Our strength lies in our ability to come together as one. It is time to build bridges, not walls, within our party,” he added, reiterating the commitment to the party’s foundational values: “We must remember why we are here, to serve the people and uphold democracy.”
During the event, PDP’s acting national chairman, Ambassador Illiya Damagum, commended the PDP governors for their exemplary representation in their states, stating, “Our governors are the backbone of our party, showcasing the values we stand for across the nation.”
In his welcome address, PDP zonal chairman Bar. Kamorudeen Ajisafe, represented by Zonal Secretary Hon. Rahman Owokoniran, acknowledged the efforts of party leaders in restoring peace within the party, urging a collective focus on unseating the ruling party to ensure a better democracy for the people.
Soji Adagunodo Jr., son of the late honoree, expressed gratitude for the tribute to his father and encouraged the PDP leadership to utilize the new space as a “solution house” for the party and the nation. “Let this edifice inspire us to seek real solutions for the myriad issues confronting our people and the nation,” he said.
The commissioning event was attended by prominent figures, including the state’s deputy governor, Adebayo Lawal; 2023 Ogun State PDP governorship candidate Chief Ladi Adebutu; Ondo State PDP governorship candidate Agboola Ajayi; and various party officials, highlighting the unity and strength of the PDP in the Southwest region. Former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Samuel Ortom, along with notable senators and local representatives, also graced the occasion, underscoring the party’s solidarity and commitment to the Nigerian populace.