Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday declared that the 2027 general election will be between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the people of Nigeria, and not between the ruling party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Makinde has also urged the leaders of the PDP to unite against any form of external control that may prevent them from uniting and forming a strong opposition ahead of 2027.
Speaking during the inauguration of the South-west PDP Zonal Office, which he built in honour of the late former PDP National Vice Chairman (South-west), Hon. Olasoji Adagunodo-Oluwatukesi, and donated to the party, Makinde stated that Nigerians would be the ones to determine the next leadership of the country.
He urged the PDP leaders to look inward, work together, and salvage the country.
He said: “People have been complaining; they have been talking; they have been making a lot of speculation. Let me say this again, and I will say it myself: Nobody will set an agenda for me apart from myself.
“They have also been talking; the ruling party and other parties. Let me say this: If you are accusing the ruling party of interfering with other parties to prevent them from uniting and forming a strong opposition for 2027, my position is that there are certain things within our control.
“Whether Governor Adeleke (Osun State governor) and I will cooperate for the growth and benefit of our party in the South-west is beyond the ruling party. It is between me and Governor Adeleke. So, please, let us work together and unite our base; that is all we need to do.
“The next election will be APC versus Nigerians. It is not even about APC versus PDP. So, let us do our bit to unite our party and our base, and let the people of Nigeria speak.
“The people spoke in Oyo and Osun states. They will do it in Nigeria. So, don’t fret. Don’t think external people have control over what will happen in our party. Yes, they may try; they can only succeed when we allow it.
“I want to admonish PDP members all over the country; let us unite and the way to demonstrate it is if you know one or two people in Ondo State, call them and tell them that the PDP is united. Tell them that the Ondo election coming up two weeks from now would be an indication of where Nigeria would be in 2027,” Makinde added.
Makinde said despite the clamour for him to join the 2027 presidential race, he had not assigned anyone to campaign for him.
“Please, let us all work together and unite our bases. That is all we need. The next general election would be APC versus Nigerians, not even APC versus PDP. But, let us just do our own bit to unite our party and bases and then allow the people of Nigeria to speak when the time comes.
“I am glad we are opening this House. It is a demonstration of our unity. I am also glad that our Acting National Chairman is here. The kind of story they would have loved to hear is that the suspension and counter-suspension saga is still on, but that is behind us.
“We are even more united to move forward. So, I thank you all for being here,” Makinde added.
He tasked all PDP members to work together and unite for total victory in the Ondo State governorship election coming up on November 16, 2024.
He spoke on the cooperation and cordial relationship between himself and his Osun State counterpart, Senator Ademola Adeleke, assuring that they would work hand-in-hand to unite the South-west
“My brother, Governor Adeleke, I want to thank you today for being here.
“We had our issues; we were fighting ourselves, especially for the control of Zonal Executives. My dear brother, Governor Adeleke, thank you for being part of this; it shows your magnanimity. That means whatever has happened in the past is behind us.
“Dr. Eddy Olafeso is here. We fought. That is the spirit of PDP. Let me also specially recognise my brother, the next Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency Agboola Ajayi.
“This time, two weeks from today, Ondo State people will be in the process of electing him as their next governor.”
Makinde added: “Those of you thinking that the only way to achieve your dream is for a division to be in the PDP – well, the South-west of Nigeria is leading the way. My brother, Adebutu, your own time will also come. I said before that when we look at Nigeria, if the South-west is united, Nigeria will unite.
“The two PDP governors who are in the South-west are here together,” he added.
He acknowledged the presence of former governors Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Samuel Ortom of Benue State.
On his part, Governor Adeleke also stressed the need for the PDP leaders to be united.
“We must forget the past divisions and unite for the good of our dear party. We should resolve conflicts inside the Government House rather than outside. We must refocus on building strong administrative and operational structures,” Adeleke added.
Also speaking, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Iliya Damagum, said with unity, the PDP can reclaim all South-West states and the entire country.
He described the late Adagunodo as a kind and down-to-earth man whose contributions added value to the party’s successes in the country.
Chuks Okocha and Kemi Olaitan
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