Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has assured Nigerians that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is on course to present a strong and united front that the electorate will be proud of ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Makinde made this declaration in Lagos on Thursday during the PDP Southern Consultative Summit, held in preparation for the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Monday, August 25, 2025.
Addressing leaders and stakeholders of the party from across Southern Nigeria, including members of the PDP Board of Trustees, governors, National Assembly members and former governors, the Oyo governor stressed that contrary to claims in some quarters, the PDP is not dead.
He said the outcome of last weekend’s by-elections, where the PDP either won or came second in several states, was a sign that the party could bounce back to reclaim its place as the ruling party if leaders and members put in the necessary hard work.
“This summit is about inclusiveness, which is the beauty of democracy. The calibre of leaders here shows we are all committed to rebuilding the PDP and restoring it to its rightful place in Nigeria,” Makinde said.
According to him, discussions at the summit touched on zoning and micro-zoning of party positions, but the focus for now is on strengthening the PDP rather than speculating on presidential candidates.
He added: “We need to have a party first before talking about the presidency. Our effort right now is directed towards having a virile and united PDP that Nigerians will be proud of and believe in.”
Other leaders at the meeting included Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara; Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, who chairs the party’s National Zoning Committee; Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State; and the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ossai, who represented Governor Peter Mba.
Also present were former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Udom Emmanuel and Sam Egwu; former PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Bode George, as well as National Assembly members and stakeholders from the three southern zones.
