Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki Urge PDP Chieftains to Prioritize Unity
In a bid to address the growing concerns about internal divisions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Seyi Makinde and former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki have called on party leaders to prioritize unity and put aside individual presidential ambitions.
The appeal was made during the 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 provided a platform for party leaders to address the increasing tensions surrounding internal divisions that threaten the party’s cohesion.
The duo’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 plagued by factionalism, with loyalties divided between Atiku and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike. Tensions have further intensified after Governor Mohammed expressed interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election.
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. He stressed that the party’s foundation lies in its ideas, philosophies, and policies, and urged party members to focus on what the PDP represents rather than individual ambitions.
“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,” Saraki said.
Makinde also expressed gratitude for the opportunities his political success has afforded him through the party and urged every PDP member to strive to be remembered for helping revive the party’s fortunes. He pledged support for the PDP’s governorship candidate in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, stressing that victory in the state requires unity.
The governor concluded by emphasizing the importance of unity in the party, saying, “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.”
The unveiling of the Peoples Democratic Institute marks the renewal of the PDP’s pledge to start planning for governance and create a blueprint to rebuild the nation. The party’s leaders are determined to fix Nigeria, and they believe that the PDI will play a crucial role in achieving this goal.
