The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to work together and unite their bases, saying the 2027 general election would be APC versus Nigerians.
Gov. Makinde stated this during the inauguration of the South-West PDP Zonal Office, which he personally built in honour of the late former PDP Zonal Vice Chairman
(South-west), Hon. Olasoji Adagunodo, and donated to the party.
The governor said that the people of Nigeria would speak in 2027 as they did in Oyo and Osun states, noting, however, that PDP members must come together and work in unison ahead of that time.
“When we look at Nigeria, if Southwest is united Nigeria will be united.
“If you are accusing the ruling party that they are the one that is causing problems in other parties so that there won’t be opposition come 2027.
“My position is that there are certain things you have under your control. If Governor Adeleke and I would cooperate for the growth and benefit of our party in the South-West, it is beyond the ruling party to destabilise our party.”
“Please, let us all work together and unite our bases. That is all we need. The next general election would be APC versus Nigerians, not even APC versus PDP.
“But, let us just do our own bit to unite our party and bases and then allow the people of Nigeria to speak when the time comes,” Makinde said.
Governor Makinde, who extolled the virtues of the late Adagunodo, announced the appointment of his son, Soji Adagunodo (Jnr) as Special Adviser to the Governor on Regional Integration, while he also appointed a member of the Oyo State Cultural Troupe, who performed at the event, as a Special Adviser, with immediate effect.
Similarly, Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, said the inauguration of the Zonal secretariat in honour of the late Adagunodo was a call for the party to forget the past and work for the unity and progress of the party.
Adeleke, who appreciated Governor Makinde for honouring the memory of Adagunodo, who hailed from Osun State,
“We must forget the past division, and unite , we must be focus on building strong adminustrative operations structure.
“With that, we can deploy for elections , retain our existing states and even expand our reach across the 6 zones of the federation,” Adeleke stated.
In his remarks, the Acting National Chairman of the party, Amb. Umar Damagum, thanked Governor Makinde for his efforts, calling on other zones to emulate and replicate the good gesture.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Adagunodo family, the son of the deceased, Deacon Soji Adagunodo (Jnr), thanked all the leaders of the party and equally encouraged them to use the edifice as a place of solution for the nation’s problems.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the chairman, PDP South-West, Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe, who spoke through the Zonal Secretary, Honourable Rahman Owokoniran, thanked Governor Makinde, and
hoped for a lasting solution to the internal crisis that is rocking the party.
“We hope that a lasting solution to propel the party forward will be reached sooner than later.
“The people will be relieved knowing that the party is ready to turn the page by reconciling our differences, it is time we roll up our sleeves, Ajisafe said.
The event had in attendance the chairman of the PDP National Reconciliation Committee and former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former governors of Abia and Benue states, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu and Mr Samuel Ortom
Ondo State PDP gubernatorial candidate, Chief Agboola Ajayi, Ogun State PDP gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 general election, Chief Ladi Adebutu; members of the PDP National Working Committee; wife of the deceased, Deaconess Adeyinka Adagunodo and other members of the family.
Also in attendance were the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Bayo Lawal; as well as former deputy governors of Oyo State, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi and Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja.
Others were the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin represented by the Deputy Speaker, Honourable Mohammed Fadeyi; former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Chief of Staff, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi; Deputy Chief of Staff, Honourable Fola Oyekunle; Co-chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun, religious leaders and other government functionaries.
