Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will remain in office beyond 2027, reclaim the presidency and win massively in the next general elections.
The governor stated this on Monday at the Oyo State PDP State Congress, citing the party’s respect for internal democracy and the amicable conduct of its congresses as indicators of its strength.
Addressing party faithful at the BasketBall Area of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, venue of the state congress, which was attended by the PDP Ward and Local Government executives, ad-hoc delegates and stakeholders of the party from the 33 Local Government Areas of the state, the governor commended the rancour-free congresses held by the PDP from the Wards to Local Governments and the State levels, noting that the process would ensure the party’s retention of power beyond 2027 in Oyo State.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser (Media) to Oyo State Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the Governor tasked the new state executive members with working hard to ensure the PDP’s victory in all elections, from local to national.
This was as the governor told party members in the state who are yet to be compensated that the government had not forgotten them.
He said: “I want to congratulate all of us in advance because I believe, in this party, we won’t all labour in vain. We will all reap the fruits of our labour in this government.
“Let me assure you once again that those who are yet to get something from this government will be reached soon.
“This exercise ensures that the PDP remains in power in Oyo State beyond 2027.
“So, the executives that will emerge from this exercise, your mandate is clear — deliver PDP from the Presidential to the Councillorship position in 2027.”
Meanwhile, Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro has been re-elected as the chairman of the PDP in Oyo State, while Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke has been elected Deputy State Chairman. Oyelami Oyeyemi, Olawumi Elizabeth Toyin, and Bello Kazeem Olalekan were elected PDP State Secretary, Women Leader, and Youth Leader, respectively.
Earlier in his welcome address, Senator Austin Akobundu, Chairman of the Oyo State PDP Congress Electoral Panel, commended Governor Makinde, party leaders, and stakeholders for their commitment and efforts to foster unity in the PDP, stressing that the congress was of great significance to the party.
He added that the PDP in Oyo State, under the leadership of Governor Makinde, has been one of the party’s strongest chapters, recording unprecedented growth and transformation through the governor’s political goodwill.
Akobundu, who urged party members to remain orderly, assured that the PDP would return all its candidates in the 2027 general election.
He said, “We thank God for the safe arrival of all delegates. They are here in their numbers. Today’s event has great significance for our party, because Oyo State PDP has been one of the country’s strongest chapters of our party.
“Under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, this party has grown from strength to strength. The testimonial is the recent bye-election into the House of Representatives, which the PDP won.
“I want to thank the governor for the strong leadership that he has provided and for the growth we have witnessed.
“Today, we expect nothing different from what we have done before. Most congresses here have been seamless, and I can see that the event is well-organised today. This is a reflection of the acceptance of the PDP.”
In their separate goodwill messages, former Deputy Governor of Oyo State and PDP National Deputy Chairman (South) Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, and Senator Gbenga Babalola described the peaceful conduct of the state congress as a demonstration of the PDP’s commitment to internal democracy.
They commended Governor Makinde for stabilising the party and prayed for a more united PDP in Oyo State and Nigeria.
Giving his acceptance speech shortly after he was declared elected, the State Chairman, Hon Ogungbenro, thanked Governor Makinde and all the party leaders for their support and commitment, assuring that the party would work hard to deliver its candidates for the 2027 general election.
Also in his brief remarks, former Governor of Jigawa State and one of the founding fathers of PDP, Alhaji Sule Lamido, congratulated the 39 newly elected state executive members and charged them to continue working for the party’s progress and development.
The exercise was monitored by a team from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The congress had Barr, the deputy governor of Oyo State, in attendance, and Bayo Lawal, former deputy governor of Oyo State, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi, speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adebo Ogundoyin, serving and former National Assembly members, State House of Assembly members, leaders and delegates of the party from the 33 local government areas in the state, and local government chairmen, among others.
