The governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has issued a warning to anyone trying to sabotage the Peoples Democratic Party’s upcoming National Convention, which is scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. He compared such attempts to stopping a moving train to political suicide.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, just after establishing the PDP National Convention Transport Subcommittee in Abuja, Makinde promised that Oyo State would host the greatest convention in the history of the party.
Ahead of the national elections in 2027, a number of well-known politicians have sided with the opposition coalition led by the African Democratic Congress after months of internal strife inside the PDP.
Former Senate President David Mark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former presidential candidate Dele Momodu have all joined the coalition.
Meanwhile, other PDP officials, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, and the party’s 2023 vice presidential nominee, Ifeanyi Okowa, have been drawn to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
There are signs that Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah may also defect to the APC prior to the PDP’s National Elective Convention, which is scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan.
In the meantime, supporters of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, have voiced their displeasure with the National Working Committee, which is led by Umar Damagum. They have cited issues with the convention’s micro-zoning arrangement, the South-South zonal structure, and the party leadership in the Plateau, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States.
The group has cautioned that unless the party reviews its decisions, the convention might not go as planned. They have apparently started action to seek judicial intervention to stop the convention in an attempt to enforce their position.
The Federal High Court in Abuja denied an interim injunction last week that would have prevented the PDP from conducting its national convention, according to The Cable.
In his decision on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho denied an ex parte petition by Wike’s associates to prevent the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission from holding their planned convention and leadership meetings.
Makinde, the Chairman of the National Convention Transportation Subcommittee, responded to these attempts by stating that the event would go ahead according to schedule.
“This meeting is simply a demonstration of the fact that our great party’s National Convention—the train—has moved,” he added. “Anyone who tries to stop a moving train is most likely also attempting suicide.” My recommendation is that we do not want to see anyone killed, regardless of their position or prior events. So, please, don’t end your life.
Makinde emphasised that the Nigerian people have the last say and said the party is not concerned about the defections.
“We have a party that has gone through a complete cycle,” he stated. Since Nigerian democracy returned in 1999, we have had a government in power. We have had to deal with the difficulties of running this nation. We have experienced individuals who have held leadership roles. We have been in opposition ever since we lost power in 2015, and we sank to the bottom of it.
“Difficulties will arise, but as leaders, we must remember that planning a celebration is not a goal unto itself, regardless of the circumstances. The ultimate goal is for Nigerians to have a party they can identify with and democracy. Democracy is about conflict, how to resolve it, and how to be resilient, even if you claim that someone is defecting or that our house is out of order.
Indeed, we should be pleased to have a party that has remained steadfast and committed to the goals of the Nigerian people. Do we want Nigeria to be a one-party state? According to my most recent cheque, the answer is no. A multi-party democracy is what Nigerians desire. They encourage individuals to generate ideas, and the PDP is doing just that. Thus, we’re not preoccupied. The Nigerian people will make the final decision in this case, thus we are neither worried nor troubled by the defections.
When asked about his rumoured desire to become president in 2027, Makinde stated that organising a successful National Convention was his top priority, emphasising that the PDP must persevere before any individual goals can be fulfilled.
“I have stated on multiple occasions that I am mature enough to make my own decisions,” he said. We believe that before someone can have ambition, we need to have a party.
All of the current efforts are aimed towards making sure that Oyo State can hold the greatest National Convention in PDP history, with the exception of your suggestion that people should put their party aside and concentrate on their goals. That is precisely what we are concentrating on.
Earlier in his speech to committee members, Makinde reassured party members that victory is still in sight and asked them not to give up despite the recent wave of defections.
Even though the party is going through a challenging time right now, he pointed out that the experience would eventually strengthen the PDP and put it in a position to win elections in the future.
From the North-West, North-Central, North-East, South-West, South-South, and South-East regions of this nation, we represent all major regions. The PDP is that,” Makinde stated. “They may claim that the PDP is not present everywhere, but I can guarantee you that it is there in every ward in this nation.
“This might seem like a challenging scenario. Governors, politicians, and everyone else are defecting, according to the news. The good news is that building something long-lasting usually makes things worse before they get better. Don’t give up, then. The PDP has consistently existed since 1999, either as the primary opposition party or as the ruling party. We won’t be moving anyplace.
Makinde exhorted party members to be steadfast in their grassroots support and dedication to the party’s principles.
“Just stand up for the PDP when you hear that people have defected,” he said. “New and genuine heroes will emerge at this time, not just for our party but also for our nation. Now is not the time to question yourself. Now is the moment to take a stand and make an impression.
The governor also conveyed his belief that competent leaders dedicated to reorienting the PDP and reconstructing Nigeria will emerge from the upcoming National Convention.
“I am supporting myself, and it will all work out,” he stated. “Have faith in the leaders who will emerge from this convention; they will contribute to the nation’s rescue.” Play your part, no matter how small, with diligence. We will all gain from it together.
Makinde reflected on his own position, recalling that he currently leads the Transport Subcommittee and was the Secretary of the PDP National Convention Organising Committee in 2021.
He declared, “No task is too big or too small to advance our party.” Ensuring the safe and effective transportation of delegates and supporters from all around Nigeria to Ibadan is the responsibility of our work, even as a transportation subcommittee. How well we manage this assignment will determine how well the conference goes.
Assuring party members that the party will produce skilled leaders dedicated to saving Nigeria, Makinde urged them to have faith in the leadership that will emerge from the upcoming PDP National Elective Convention.
“I am holding my own corner,” he added. Everything will add up. And follow my example. Believe me. Have faith in the leadership we will install and the leadership that will facilitate the installation of the leaders who will ultimately benefit this nation.
“So, I’ll ask you to just do your part. Do your best work on whatever task you have been assigned, no matter how small, and we will all profit.
“I appreciate your willingness to participate in this subcommittee. As you recall, I served as the National Convention Organising Committee’s secretary in 2021, four years ago. Since no task is too great or too small to guarantee that our party gets back on track and we can once more tell Nigerians that we have an idea, I accepted their request to serve as the subcommittee’s chairman.
Thus, some of you might be in a similar predicament to mine. Perhaps you have previously served in a more senior role. To ensure that the PDP returns to its initial course, I want you to view this assignment as a unique sacrifice.
Regarding the task at hand, you might wonder, what exactly is a Transportation Subcommittee? The logistics of transporting our delegates and supporters from all over Nigeria to Ibadan are something we truly want to make sure of.
Therefore, our task will begin before they even leave their homes, not when they arrive in Ibadan. It’s a significant undertaking, and our ability to complete it efficiently will determine how well that convention goes.
Tanimu Turaki (SAN), a former Minister of Special Duties and Co-Chairman of the PDP National Convention, said the party is on track to win the presidency again.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Nigerians will now know that the PDP is on course, that the journey to reclaim Aso Rock has begun,” he stated, referring to the attendance of this committee.
Debo Ologunagba, the national publicity secretary for the PDP, added that the party still has the most support among Nigerians.
After its successful convention in Ibadan, he said he was confident the party will regain power in 2027 with the support of the people.
“This is the only democratic party in this country,” Ologunagba declared. This is the only party with a bottom-up strategy, organised from the wards to the local government, through the zones, and, of course, to the national level. It is founded on beliefs and policies.
“The people own this party.” We appreciate their help. And in 2027, with the help of the people, we will overthrow the All Progressives Congress administration, which has failed.
“And because we are a well-organised party, we have consistently set a standard over the course of four years by holding an elective National Convention that will generate a new group of leaders to oversee the party’s operations.”
Our correspondent’s attempts to get in touch with Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, for remarks were all futile because he did not reply.
