Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, has assured Nigerians that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will bounce back stronger as a virile and united platform that the people will be proud of ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The governor gave the assurance in Lagos during the PDP Southern Consultative Summit, held ahead of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Monday, 25th August, 2025.
Makinde emphasized that despite challenges, the PDP remains alive and capable of providing a credible alternative for Nigerians in the coming elections, if leaders and members continue to put in the hard work.
At the meeting, which had in attendance the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, serving and former governors, as well as current and past National Assembly members from the South, Makinde stressed that the gathering was about inclusiveness and rebuilding the party, not about presidential candidates.
According to him, the outcome of last Saturday’s by-elections, where the PDP either won or came second in many places, showed that the party is not dead and can reclaim its position as the ruling party if unity and commitment are sustained.
Makinde said:
“Democracy is about the minority having their say and the majority having their way. That is democracy. The South has taken far-reaching decisions and, in the days ahead, leading to our NEC, wider consultations will also take place. Those who have been saying PDP is dead will know that, with the calibre of leaders here today, the party is very much alive and ready to take back its rightful place.”
He added that the Consultative Summit was not a statutory organ of the party but an avenue to ensure inclusiveness and carry all stakeholders along in the rebuilding process.
“NEC is on Monday; today is Thursday. We will definitely have a decision. We need to have a party first before we start talking about presidential candidates. Our effort right now is directed towards having a virile and united PDP that Nigerians will be proud of and believe in,” the governor maintained.
Makinde also stated that he would not engage in personal attacks but would continue to reach out to all groups and tendencies within the PDP, noting that Nigerians are watching and deserve a united front that can provide a credible alternative.
In attendance at the summit were the PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; Bayelsa State governor and Chairman of the National Zoning Committee, Senator Duoye Diri; Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke; and Enugu State governor, Dr Peter Mba, represented by his deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai.
Others present included former governors Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Dr Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), and Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), as well as Chief Bode George, former Deputy National Chairman (South), alongside several National Assembly members and key PDP stakeholders from across Southern Nigeria.
