Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has assured members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party remains resilient despite the recent defection of Dauda Lawal, the governor of Zamfara State, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Lawal’s departure, announced on Monday, leaves only two PDP governors in the country: Makinde himself and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
While some observers suggested that the party’s influence would diminish, Makinde reassured stakeholders that numerical strength does not solely define the party’s relevance in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Speaking on Tuesday during an expanded meeting of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) in Abuja, Makinde described the present political climate as “unprecedented” and urged members to remain steadfast in their commitment to democratic principles.
He noted that despite the challenges, the PDP has always been guided by its vision for the people, not by short-term political gains.
According to Makinde, he consulted several experienced political figures with deep knowledge of Nigeria’s political history.
These consultations, he said, revealed that the current situation — a party reduced to only two governors at the national level — is historically unusual. Yet, this does not weaken the party’s core strength.
Makinde said, “I have spoken to people who have been involved in the political evolution of this country. None of them have seen a political landscape like what we are witnessing today.
“Yes, we are only two remaining governors in PDP, but we are not bothered. Our focus remains on serving the people and strengthening our democracy.”
The governor emphasized the importance of unity within the party, noting that the story of PDP’s resilience would be remembered in Nigeria’s democratic history.
“When the story of democracy in Nigeria is told, they will find us on the side of the people. This difficult period will pass. History will record our efforts to remain committed to democratic values,” Makinde said.
He further reminded party leaders and members that their actions at this critical moment will shape PDP’s legacy.
“Whatever role we play, individually or collectively, we must be conscious of how history will judge us. Our focus should be on ensuring the PDP continues to rebuild and maintain its relevance in Nigeria’s democracy,” he added.
Former Senate President Adolphus Wabara also addressed the BoT meeting, urging members to seek practical solutions to the challenges confronting the PDP.
Wabara highlighted that recent rulings by the Court of Appeal provide an opportunity for the party to reorganize and strengthen its structures.
“The Appeal Court order gives us the chance to start afresh,” Wabara said.
“It is an opportunity for PDP to rebuild, to respect the law, and to demonstrate that we are committed to democratic principles.
“We must use this moment to correct mistakes and reaffirm our position as a party of the people.”
Wabara explained that the expanded meeting was convened primarily for strategic discussions rather than for lengthy speeches.
He called on members to be concise in their contributions so that the Board could take decisions effectively.
“We have to be serious about the decisions we make,” he said.
“When we work in accordance with the Constitution and rule of law, we are on the right path. PDP’s future depends on how we act today.”
He also suggested that political forces may be attempting to weaken the PDP through defections and other challenges.
Yet, he remained optimistic that the party could recover if members maintained an open mind and commitment to unity.
“The aim may be to edge us out,” Wabara said, “but PDP has a history of resilience. We can get back on track if we are united and focused on rebuilding the party.”
Both Makinde and Wabara urged governors and party leaders to consider the broader implications of their actions, stressing that unity is critical to sustaining the party’s influence.
By prioritizing democratic principles, accountability, and internal cohesion, the PDP can continue to play a key role in Nigeria’s political system despite current setbacks.
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