Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said southern leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have taken “far-reaching decisions” to reposition the opposition party ahead of its national convention scheduled for November in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Speaking after a stakeholders’ meeting in Ibadan on Thursday, which brought together several prominent party figures, Makinde dismissed suggestions that the gathering was focused on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. He said the aim was to strengthen consultations and foster unity within the party.
“Personally, when people go low or go into the gutters, I don’t go with them. Nothing should stop us from consulting. Democracy is about the minority having their say and the majority having their way. The South has taken far-reaching decisions, and wider consultations will follow as we prepare for the convention,” Makinde said.
He stressed that the immediate task was not zoning or presidential ambitions but rebuilding the PDP. “We need to have a party first before talking about presidential candidates. Our efforts are directed at building a united PDP that Nigerians will be proud of,” he added.
The meeting was attended by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Senator Adolphus Wabara (BoT chairman), Enugu Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai, Chief Bode George, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Akwa Ibom governor Udom Emmanuel, Dr. Fred Agbedi, Senator Ben Obi, and representatives of Osun and Enugu governments, among others.
Makinde highlighted the broad representation, noting that four governors, BoT members, senators, House of Representatives members, state chairmen, and 12 of the 17 members of the southern zoning committee were present.
However, some PDP leaders loyal to Wike rejected the Ibadan gathering, describing it as illegitimate. In a joint statement, Imo State Chairman Austin Nwachukwu, Abia Chairman Abraham Amah, Cross River Chairman Venatius Ikem, Akwa Ibom Chairman Aniekan Akpan, Rivers Chairman Aaron Chukwuemeka, National Vice Chairman (South-East) Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck, and House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda faulted the meeting.
They argued that several state chairmen, national officers, and principal party leaders from the South were excluded, saying:
“Such a brazen disregard for established structures and statutory organs of the PDP not only offends the spirit of collective decision-making but also risks undermining the very foundation upon which our party was built.”
They urged the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) to disregard any outcome of the Ibadan meeting.
But the Conference of Professionals in the PDP (CP-PDP) defended the summit. In a statement signed by its chairman, Obinna Nwachukwu, the group said the zoning committee led by Governor Diri duly invited relevant stakeholders from across the South, including governors, BoT members, vice chairmen, legislators, and state chairmen.
“Any resolution or recommendation reached at the summit would therefore be valid, authentic and recognised by the party,” CP-PDP said, accusing critics of being influenced by a prominent APC minister seeking to destabilise the PDP’s preparations for its convention.
