The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, and other leaders of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) from the 10 Local Government Areas of Oke Ogun Zone, have reaffirmed that the party remains united, strong, and loyal to the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde.

The leaders, including all notable party leaders in the zone, former and current political officeholders, representatives from the three federal constituencies, and others, passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of Governor Makinde.

At the meeting, held at the Iseyin Demonstration School I and II on Thursday, the leaders lauded the governor’s efforts in developing Oke Ogun and Oyo State, stating that party members and residents of the zone must reciprocate the governor’s good gesture in the 2027 general election.

In his speech at the gathering, Lawal hailed the massive turnout at the meeting, attributing it to the party’s unity and confidence in Governor Makinde’s leadership.

He called on PDP members in the zone to bring in more people into the party, assuring that those who had left would also return, as the party’s strength would continue to grow.

Advising party members not to be disturbed by recent defections, the Deputy Governor expressed confidence that the party will be victorious in all contests in the 2027 general election.

While appreciating Governor Makinde for appointing sons and daughters of Oke-Ogun to key positions, the Deputy Governor declared that Governor Makinde has done a great deal for Oke Ogun, highlighting the governor’s infrastructure development initiatives in the zone.

The deputy governor also announced that the efforts by Governor Makinde and other leaders to reposition the PDP at the national level have also been yielding positive fruits, with the post of national secretary zoned to Oyo State ahead of the party’s National Convention.

Earlier in his remarks, former Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Barr. Adeniyi Farinto, said the PDP remained intact in Oke Ogun and that the party would be willing to receive those who left its fold once they are ready to return.

He equally charged party members to remain resolute and committed to show gratitude to the governor for the massive developments undertaken by his government in Oke Ogun since 2019.

Other major leaders of the party from the zone, including Alhaji Rafiu Adekunle, Chief Jacob Adetoro, and Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha, as well as representatives of the three federal constituencies in the zone, also expressed gratitude to Governor Makinde for his developmental efforts in the zone.

They pledged to reciprocate his good gesture by ensuring the PDP’s victory in the 2027 general election.

A communiqué made available to newsmen after the well-attended Oke Ogun PDP Zonal Meeting quoted the party leaders as resolving, among other things, to call for unity among PDP members, emphasising the need for openness to reconciliation wherever misunderstandings exist.

The meeting also resolved to expand the party membership, noting that attracting new members would further strengthen the PDP’s position in the zone.

It also declared that it would hold meetings of the party in each federal constituency and at the zonal level from time to time, while a conflict resolution mechanism would be developed to deal with issues as they arise in each Local Government Area.

The communiqué read in part: “His Excellency, Engineer Sey Makinde’s role in the socio-economic upgrade in Oke Ogun zone is hereby acknowledged and applauded.

“To this end, the Zone hereby reaffirms its commitment and loyalty to him. The meeting notes with pride and appreciation the developmental strides recorded in the Oke-Ogun Zone under the leadership of His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde. These projects include, but are not limited to: construction of Okaka-Otu-Igbojaye-KAPS Film Village Road, reconstruction of Moniya-Iseyin Road, reconstruction of Iseyin-Oyo Road, construction of New Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomoso Road, rehabilitation of Iseyin-Saki Road despite being a Federal Government road, and construction of Saki-Ogbooro-Igboho Road.
“The government is also commended for establishing LAUTECH Campus at Iseyin, which is a major step in enhancing educational opportunities in the Zone, and the upgrade of OYSADA office in Saki Town to full functionality.
“The inclusion of the construction of Ogbooro-Agbonle Road and Igboho-Kisi Road in the 2025 Budget is also acknowledged as a positive development towards the development of the region.
“We also commended the recruitment of qualified sons and daughters of Oke-Ogun into Civil/Public Service, TESCOM, Hospital Management Board, ORYTMA, SUBEB, and other Agencies, which are steps towards Economic Empowerment and regional representation.
“We equally appreciate the governor for his confidence in Oke Ogun, which made him approve the appointment of Engr Hamid Gbadamosi as a member of the PDP Board of Trustees.”