Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, stated that the decision of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not in any way affect the fortunes of the party.
While reacting to the exit of Atiku from the PDP, Makinde stressed that the party would not condone any actions aimed at undermining its progress.
Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2023 general election, on Wednesday, resigned his membership from the opposition party after admitting to the formation of a coalition party, the Alliance Democratic Congress (ADC).
Makinde, who spoke as the keynote speaker at the 10th-anniversary colloquium of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, dismissed insinuations that the PDP would be weakened by Atiku’s exit from the party.
The governor also downplayed the purported threat posed by the ADC ahead of the 2027 elections, emphasising that the coalition platform is no match for the PDP.
He said, “Politics is a game of interest. I don’t think that his exit will make any dent on PDP as a party. PDP is an institution. We have freedom of entrance and exit. Anyone that will hold PDP down, it is better for such an individual to quit.
“I don’t see ADC as a threat to PDP. The goal is about the same. If you are not happy about the tempo and pace of governance, you are free to associate and see what can be done. But one thing we must all realise is that players will come and go, governors will come and go, and presidents will come and go, but our state and country will remain.”
Meanwhile, the governor, who advocated a constitutional role for traditional rulers, stated that the Oyo State government under his watch has taken deliberate steps to integrate traditional institutions into the governance architecture.
“In Oyo State, we have been having good collaborations with traditional institutions, and we have had great results from such collaborations. That is why we are pushing for a constitutional role for them so that they don’t keep floating. They can participate and contribute, and also we can hold them accountable.
“We institutionalised their role in the State Security Council. Our royal fathers are not bystanders. They serve as first responders, sources of local intelligence, and advocates for peace.
“We passed laws to remove ambiguity around succession and throne ascension. The outcome? Fewer legal battles, reduced communal tension, and enhanced legitimacy for our royal fathers.
“We need stronger, smarter partnerships—between the old and the new, between the traditional throne and the modern office, and between the oba’s palace and the policies of government.”
On his part, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade, who harped on unity within the town, stressed that his subjects will continue to prosper.
