Prioritise unity over 2027 ambitions, Makinde, Saraki urge PDP leaders

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and former Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki, on Thursday, urged chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party to ensure unity within the party by not allowing individual presidential ambitions to cause division.

The two party leaders made this appeal during the official inauguration of the Board of Governors and the unveiling of the roadmap for the Peoples Democratic Institute at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

This appeal follows growing concerns that the presidential ambitions of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed, and Makinde himself could escalate internal divisions within the party, potentially derailing the ongoing reconciliation efforts led by the Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led committee.

In recent months, the PDP has become divided into factions loyal to Atiku and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Tensions heightened when Mohammed, who also chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, expressed his interest in running for the presidency in 2027.

Saraki, addressing the gathering on Thursday, said that the PDP, once the party of the masses, had come a long way and should not be sacrificed for individual aspirations.

“The party was built on ideas, philosophies, and policies. Let us move away from building ideas on personal ambition. We cannot have an ambition if we don’t have a party. We cannot have a party if we don’t have ideas. This is where it starts. This is the foundation,” Saraki said.

He continued, “Let us stop talking about who is running for councillor, governor, or president in 2027. Let us focus on what the PDP represents. What are the issues and policies that we must address? This is what Nigerians want to know. That is why I support this institute. I hope others will too, because this is the foundation.

“I have travelled to several places, and when people meet us, even in Europe, they ask where our institute is. It is an embarrassment that, as a major political party, we did not have one until now. But today, we are closing that chapter. The message we send to Nigerians is that this is a serious party. We are leaders. Let PDP lead in that way.”

While expressing gratitude for the opportunities his political success has afforded him through the party, the Oyo state governor urged every PDP member to strive to be remembered for helping revive the party’s fortunes.

“A lot has been said about the PDI and its origins. But what do we want to be remembered for? This is the essence and significance of today. Abba Moro has said that since 1998, he has benefitted from the PDP. I too have benefitted since 2019. I want to thank our great party and all the stakeholders here today for giving me the opportunity to secure not one, but two mandates, back to back, under this umbrella,” he stated.

Makinde added, “The only thing I can promise is that, having drawn from this well, I will not pollute it when it is time for me to leave office. The journey here has not been easy, but I am grateful that we have overcome many obstacles. However, since the 2015 elections, things have only gone from bad to worse. As we face the next level of economic instability and renewed troubles, the PDP must offer real hope for Nigeria. Our country needs direction, and Nigerians are looking to the PDP for an ideological foundation.”

The governor continued by pledging support for the PDP’s governorship candidate in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, stressing that victory in the state requires unity.

“As we head to Ondo State, we need true reconciliation and unity to overcome the APC there. We know we are more popular. You saw the debate, and our candidates are the only ones with a clear vision for governance in Ondo. So, we must work together to ensure that no form of rigging, either institutional or propagated by the ruling party, succeeds.”

He concluded, “We must go to Ondo as one united party and resist any attempt to undermine the will of the people. The PDP is the only party in Nigeria that has allowed youth to be part of the political process, and I know that the PDI will only expand this space. I am not too old; my mind and body remain youthful, and I will be part of the effort to give youth opportunities in politics.

“This unveiling marks the renewal of PDP’s pledge to start planning for governance and create a blueprint to rebuild our nation. The PDP can and will do everything it can to fix Nigeria. We will fix the PDP, and then the PDP will fix Nigeria. That is the foundation of real hope for the people of Nigeria.”