By Kolawole Ojebisi
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has stated the recent gale of defections that hitting opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), does not give the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) an edge over other parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Makinde maintained that the hungry people of the country will determine the outcome of the 2027 political showdown and not politicians defecting from one party to another.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media to Makinde, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, on Thursday.
According to the statement, Makinde spoke on Wednesday evening at the official inauguration of the newly elected PDP South West zonal executive members at the party’s zonal secretariat, Soji Adagunodo House, Old Ife Road, Ibadan.
“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,” Makinde was quoted to have said.
He assured party faithful that the PDP remains strong and resilient despite the storm of defections, noting that unlike the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the PDP has sustained strong institutional structures.
“I read an analysis where they said the PDP has been building strong men but not strong institutions. I beg to differ. The 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.”
The event was attended by party leaders and stakeholders from across the South West.
