Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki have called on chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to prioritize unity and prevent individual presidential ambitions from fracturing the party.
The appeal was made during the official inauguration of the Board of Governors and the unveiling of the roadmap for the Peoples Democratic Institute at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
The event served as a platform for party leaders to address the increasing concerns surrounding internal divisions that threaten the PDP’s cohesion.
Makinde and Saraki’s plea comes amid reports that the presidential ambitions of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Bauchi Governor, Bala Mohammed, and Governor Makinde himself could exacerbate existing rifts within the party, potentially derailing the ongoing reconciliation efforts led by the Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led committee.
In recent months, the PDP has been split into factions, with loyalties divided between Atiku and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Tensions have further intensified after Governor Mohammed, who also chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, expressed interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking at the event, Saraki emphasized that the PDP, once regarded as the party of the masses, had endured significant challenges and should not be jeopardized by individual political aspirations.
Saraki said, “The party was built on ideas, philosophies, and policies. Let us move away from building ideas on personal ambition. We cannot have an ambition if we don’t have a party. We cannot have a party if we don’t have ideas. This is where it starts. This is the foundation.
“Let us stop talking about who is running for councillor, governor, or president in 2027. Let us focus on what the PDP represents. What are the issues and policies that we must address? This is what Nigerians want to know. That is why I support this institute. I hope others will too, because this is the foundation.
“I have travelled to several places, and when people meet us, even in Europe, they ask where our institute is. It is an embarrassment that, as a major political party, we did not have one until now. But today, we are closing that chapter. The message we send to Nigerians is that this is a serious party. We are leaders. Let PDP lead in that way.”
While expressing gratitude for the opportunities his political success has afforded him through the party, the Oyo state governor urged every PDP member to strive to be remembered for helping revive the party’s fortunes.
“A lot has been said about the PDI and its origins. But what do we want to be remembered for? This is the essence and significance of today. Abba Moro has said that since 1998, he has benefitted from the PDP. I too have benefitted since 2019. I want to thank our great party and all the stakeholders here today for giving me the opportunity to secure not one, but two mandates, back to back, under this umbrella,” he stated.
Makinde added, “The only thing I can promise is that, having drawn from this well, I will not pollute it when it is time for me to leave office. The journey here has not been easy, but I am grateful that we have overcome many obstacles. However, since the 2015 elections, things have only gone from bad to worse. As we face the next level of economic instability and renewed troubles, the PDP must offer real hope for Nigeria. Our country needs direction, and Nigerians are looking to the PDP for an ideological foundation.”
The governor continued by pledging support for the PDP’s governorship candidate in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, stressing that victory in the state requires unity.
He said, “As we head to Ondo State, we need true reconciliation and unity to overcome the APC there. We know we are more popular. You saw the debate, and our candidates are the only ones with a clear vision for governance in Ondo. So, we must work together to ensure that no form of rigging, either institutional or propagated by the ruling party, succeeds.”
He concluded, “We must go to Ondo as one united party and resist any attempt to undermine the will of the people. The PDP is the only party in Nigeria that has allowed youth to be part of the political process, and I know that the PDI will only expand this space. I am not too old; my mind and body remain youthful, and I will be part of the effort to give youth opportunities in politics.
“This unveiling marks the renewal of PDP’s pledge to start planning for governance and create a blueprint to rebuild our nation. The PDP can and will do everything it can to fix Nigeria. We will fix the PDP, and then the PDP will fix Nigeria. That is the foundation of real hope for the people of Nigeria.”