Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday declared that the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has rid itself of what he described as “vagabonds” who had allegedly disrupted the party’s internal cohesion for years, insisting that decisive action taken in November 2025 has restored discipline and stability.
Makinde spoke at the commissioning of the newly built Oyo State PDP Secretariat at Oke-Ado, Ibadan, an event that drew national party leaders, former governors, lawmakers and stakeholders from across the country.
Using a Yoruba proverb to explain the party’s internal struggles, the governor said: “In Yoruba land, we always say that if you see a house or a compound that is peaceful, the vagabond in that house has not grown up.” He argued that the crisis within the PDP became pronounced after the party lost power at the federal level in 2015, creating a leadership vacuum that allowed indiscipline to thrive.
“In 2015, PDP lost power at the federal level. There was a gap in leadership. Otherwise, those vagabonds would never have been able to take hold of the PDP,” Makinde said. According to him, the group dominated the party’s affairs for almost a decade before being expelled.
“They grew up in 2015. They had their time, and for 10 years, a decade, they practised their vagabondry in the PDP. But they were expelled in November 2025. So, there is no more vagabond in PDP,” the governor declared.
Makinde distanced both his administration and the Oyo State Government from the party’s internal legal disputes and national leadership issues, stressing that governance must not be entangled with partisan wrangling. “The government has no interest in PDP lawyer states and no interest in PDP nationally,” he said.
In a moment of candour, the governor admitted that he once worked closely with some of those he now criticises. “Let me confess. I came into government in 2019, and towards 2023, I was yoked with them. But now, I’ve repented,” he stated, adding that he would not support any attempt by the group to retain control of the party.
“For them to hold PDP for another two years? No, no, no,” Makinde said, dismissing their current influence as waning. He likened their activities to “people wearing rags and dancing at midnight,” predicting that they would soon disperse.
Beyond internal party matters, Makinde expressed strong confidence in the judiciary to resolve the legal challenges confronting the PDP. He described the courts as the backbone of democracy and “the last hope of the common man,” noting that while falsehood could endure for years, truth would ultimately prevail.
“I have absolute trust in the Nigerian judicial system. All pending court cases involving the PDP will be resolved in the party’s favour,” he said, reiterating his administration’s commitment to due process, respect for court decisions and the rule of law.
Earlier, Oyo State PDP Chairman, Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro, urged party members across the state to deepen their loyalty and commitment ahead of the 2027 general elections. He said unity, hard work and preparedness were essential if the PDP was to sustain its electoral relevance.
Ogungbenro stressed that politics should not be seen as warfare but as a democratic process that allows citizens to periodically express their choices through elections held every four years. He expressed optimism that the PDP would secure victory in 2027, attributing his confidence to popular support and divine grace.
He also described the commissioning of the secretariat as a testament to visionary leadership, recalling that the idea initially faced scepticism due to financial constraints. According to him, Governor Makinde’s swift approval of the project demonstrated uncommon leadership. He added that the governor had earlier fulfilled his promise to build a South-West zonal secretariat, commissioned in 2024 in honour of the late Soji Adagunodo.
At the event, Makinde announced that the new PDP Secretariat had been named after a former Oyo State PDP Chairman, Chief Omokunmi Mustapha, in recognition of his contributions to the party. He formally handed over the building documents to the PDP National Chairman, Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), marking the official takeover of the party house.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by former Kano State Governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau; PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; PDP South-West Chairman, Kamorudeen Ajisafe; members of the National Working Committee; and other party leaders and stakeholders from within and outside Oyo State.
The newly commissioned secretariat features offices for party executives, a conference hall, power-generating facilities, solar energy installations and other modern amenities, underscoring what party leaders described as renewed organisational strength and preparedness for future political engagements.
