Makinde: Coalition Poses No Threat as South-West PDP Reaffirms Unity Ahead of 2027

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has dismissed the emerging coalition of opposition politicians as a non-threat to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), asserting that the party remains a solid political institution, particularly in the South-West zone. Speaking to journalists after the South-West PDP Caucus meeting held on Friday at the regional party secretariat in Ibadan, Governor Makinde said the PDP is not only united but ready to face any internal or external challenge.

He questioned the credibility and intentions of the individuals forming the coalition, arguing that many of them are serial defectors with little to offer Nigerians. “Who are these people in this coalition? They were in some parties before, whether the PDP or the APC. What are their antecedents?” Governor Makinde queried. “Does it mean that anytime they move from one party to another, they have repented, or do they have something new to offer the people? These are salient questions.”

The governor Makinde likened the PDP to a house with a leaking roof, insisting that true leaders will stay to fix the problems rather than seek refuge elsewhere. “This Soji Adagunodo House is for the PDP South-West. If the roof is leaking… we will stay inside here and fix it. We are responsible leaders,” he stated.

South-West PDP Leaders Declare Loyalty, Denounce Coalition

The South-West PDP Caucus meeting, attended by prominent party stakeholders, including Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke (represented by Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi), former Osun Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and other zonal leaders, ended with a strong communiqué distancing the region’s leadership from the proposed opposition coalition.

The communiqué affirmed the unwavering loyalty of South-West PDP leaders to the party, and their commitment to ensuring its unity and growth at all levels. “The PDP in the South-West is intact,” it stated. “We urge all organs and relevant bodies of the party to remain focused and continue to work assiduously towards the successful conduct of the scheduled National Convention to further strengthen and reposition the PDP for the task ahead.”

The leaders also threw their full support behind the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), emphasizing the party’s readiness to collaborate with like-minded Nigerians who share its vision of rescuing the nation from what they described as the “stranglehold of the APC.”

Governor Makinde and Adeleke Receive Commendation for Zonal Leadership

Governor Makinde and his Osun counterpart, Senator Ademola Adeleke, were praised for their people-centric governance and stabilizing influence in the party’s affairs within the South-West. The communiqué acknowledged the governors’ consistent efforts in promoting peace, stability, and infrastructural development across the zone.

“The Caucus commends and appreciates Governors Makinde and Adeleke and other leaders of the PDP in the South-West Zone for their untiring roles in ensuring the stability and growth of the PDP,” the statement read.

Their roles in maintaining party cohesion, mobilizing support at the grassroots level, and confronting existential threats were highlighted as critical to the PDP’s sustained relevance and growing popularity in the region.

Upcoming Elections: PDP Targets Sweeping Victories in South-West

Looking ahead to the 2027 general election and more immediate contests, the South-West PDP Caucus expressed strong optimism about the party’s chances in Oyo and Ogun States’ upcoming by-elections, as well as local government polls in Lagos.

“The Caucus resolves to intensify efforts to ensure the victory of our great party in the upcoming by-elections in Oyo and Ogun states as well as the local government council election in Lagos State,” the communiqué declared.

The leaders believe the party remains the most viable alternative to the APC, pointing to the deepening economic hardship and worsening insecurity under the ruling party’s watch as evidence of failed leadership. “The 2027 election will be between Nigerians and the APC,” Governor Makinde noted, “with Nigerians ultimately triumphing under the banner of the PDP.”

Caucus Condemns FG Over Osun LG Funds, Decries National Crisis

The meeting also produced a strong rebuke of the Federal Government for withholding Osun State’s local government allocations, calling the move unconstitutional and harmful to the well-being of the people. “The withholding… is unwarranted and a violation of the rights of the people of Osun State,” the communiqué asserted.

Beyond regional concerns, the South-West PDP expressed deep worry about the deteriorating national situation. The leaders cited growing insecurity, inflation, and unemployment as major issues demanding urgent redress. In a rallying call, the Caucus urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and united behind the PDP’s mission to restore effective governance.

“Nigerians must not lose hope,” the statement concluded. “They must remain resolute and continue to rally with the PDP as our party leads the charge to rescue our nation from the misrule of the APC.”