The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Southwest Zone, has applauded Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for what it described as his decisive role in safeguarding the party from “aggressors” intent on destabilising Nigeria’s largest opposition platform.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Ado Ekiti, the PDP Southwest Zonal Publicity Secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati, praised Makinde for displaying “exemplary leadership” during the turbulent build-up to the party’s 2025 National Convention in Ibadan.
According to Atofarati, the successful conduct of the convention has restored public confidence in the PDP at a time when Nigerians “have long yearned for genuine democratic leadership”.
He further commended PDP governors across the country for standing steadfastly with the party, noting that their unity helped reposition the PDP for future electoral success.
“With the election of these eminent leaders into the National Executive Committee, the PDP can now focus without unnecessary distractions and begin galvanising support ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he added.
Atofarati described Makinde as “the biblical Moses of the PDP”, crediting him with working collaboratively with other party leaders to give the PDP “a new lease of life. We have unwavering confidence in the capacity of the new NEC to provide credible leadership that will entrench discipline and commitment to the ideals of the party,” he stated.
The Southwest zone also praised the government and people of Oyo State for hosting a peaceful and well-organised convention.
On Saturday, former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki, emerged as the new national chairman of the PDP at the Ibadan convention, alongside several newly elected national officers. His emergence followed the party’s earlier decision to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South and the national chairmanship to the North.
Influential stakeholders from the North-West had endorsed Turaki as their consensus candidate following a series of meetings in October.
The PDP had been engulfed in internal conflict in recent months, particularly between factions aligned with Makinde and those aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The disagreements triggered legal battles over whether the convention would even hold. The peaceful conclusion of the exercise is now seen as a significant step toward restoring party cohesion.
