•Governor Makinde (3rd right) and his guests in Ibadan yesterday
Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde has declared the 2027 general elections a contest between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the country’s generality.
This is as he declared that his next political agenda in 2027 would be determined by nobody else but himself, reports Sunday Tribune.
Makinde made the declaration at the commissioning of the Late Olusoji Adagunodo zonal secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan yesterday.
He stated that the country’s generality would decide on its next leadership in 2027 but stressed the need for unity among the PDP members across the country.
He, therefore, charged leaders of the leading opposition party across the board to look inward and see how they can work together and salvage the country.
Makinde also urged all parties faithful to shun any form of discord and disunity that is hindering the party from achieving its mandate in providing the alternative needed by the people.
Makinde said, “What they normally say is, it is not how long, but how well. My dear brother, the late Soji Adagunodo, was with us for a very short period, but he made a very significant impact on the politics of the Southwest of Nigeria. My brother, Governor Adeleke, I want to appreciate you today for being here.
“We had our issues; we were fighting ourselves, especially for the control of Zonal Excos. My dear brother, Governor Adeleke, thank you for being part of this; it shows your magnanimity. That means whatever has happened in the past is behind us.
“Dr. Eddy Olafeso is here. We fought. That is the spirit of PDP. Let me also specially recognise my brother, the next Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency Agboola Ajayi.
“This time, two weeks from today, Ondo State people will be in the process of electing him as their next governor. This is 2 pm. Two hours after this time, the results will have started coming out, validating him as the next governor of Ondo State.
“Those of you thinking that the only way to achieve your dream is for division to be in the PDP, well, the Southwest of Nigeria is leading the way. My brother, Adebutu, your own time will also come. I said it before that when we look at Nigeria, if the Southwest is united, Nigeria will unite.
“The two PDP governors who are in the Southwest are here together. All our leaders are here. Also from outside of the Southwest, they are also here.
“Governor Ikpeazu from the Southeast, thank you for identifying with us. Governor Ortom from the north central is here. Thank you for identifying with us.
“I only have one message, just one thing to say. Yes, we have done this to keep the memory of our brother, Honourable Soji Adagunodo. I want the truth for your state. I just want to make him a legacy. Your wish has been granted today.
“I just want to make an announcement. Also, Soji Adagunodo Jr., you will get your letter as Special Advisor to me on regional integration. I also want to thank Governor Adeleke for loaning him to me.”
He said further “People have been complaining, they have been talking, they have been doing a lot of permutation. Let me say this again. I will say it by myself. Nobody will set an agenda for me apart from myself.
“They have also been talking—the ruling party, all the parties. Let me say this: If you are accusing the ruling party that they are the ones putting their hands into all other parties to ensure that they don’t get their hearts together so that there will be no opposition in 2027, my own position is that there are certain things that you have under your own control.
“Whether I and Governor Adeleke will cooperate for the growth and benefit of our party in the Southwest states, it is beyond the ruling party. It is between me and Governor Adeleke. So please, let us all work together; unite our base; that is all that we need to do.
“The next election will be APC versus Nigerians. It is not even about APC versus PDP. So let us do our own bit to unite our party, unite our base, and let the people of Nigeria, let them speak.”
On his next political ambition, the governor said nobody can set agenda for him on what to do next with his political career.
The governor also disagreed with those accusing the ruling party of interfering with other political parties in the country as a way of preventing a formidable opposition in the next election.
In his remarks, the Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, said the event is a clear call for unity and brotherhood among PDP at home and abroad.
“We must forget the past of division and unite for the good of our dear party. It is better for us to fight each other inside the government house than outside. We must refocus attention on building strong administrative and operational structures.
“With that, we can deploy for election, retain our existing state, and even expand our reach across the six zones of the federation.
Also, the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Damagum, paid tribute to the late Adagunodo, describing him as a kind and down-to-earth man whose contributions added value to the successes the party has attained in the country.
He joined the earlier speakers to call for unity of the party, saying the party remains the only brand that nobody can challenge.
He said the party can only save the country if it stands united, noting that everybody is currently feeling the pinch of hardship occasioned by the current administration in the country.
He assured that with unity, the party could reclaim all the states of the Southwest and the entire country as a whole.
In attendance at the event were the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Iliya Damagum; Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State; former governor Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), members of the National Working Committee of the Party; other leaders from the Zonal and across the six geo-political zones.
