Lagos: Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has emphasized the importance of building a strong and united Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before addressing the selection of a presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. Makinde conveyed this message to journalists following a closed-door PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit held in Ikeja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the gathering aimed to discuss zoning arrangements in preparation for the party's upcoming national convention. When questioned about whether the meeting considered potential presidential candidates for 2027, Makinde clarified, "We haven't even gotten there. We need to have a party first before you start talking about presidential candidates. If we don't have a party, anything that you are trying to do will fall flat."
Makinde underscored the necessity for thorough consultations with all stakeholders within the PDP, stressing that the party must consolidate and present itself as a credible alternative. Attendees at the meeting, he noted, had made significant decisions ahead of the party's November National Convention.
He stated, "We just finished the consultative meeting of the PDP Zoning Committee for the south, and nothing should stop us from consulting. Democracy is about the minority having their say and the majority having their way. That is democracy."
Makinde expressed confidence in the party's resilience, countering claims that the PDP is defunct. He pointed to the caliber of attendees at the meeting as evidence of the party's vitality and commitment to reclaiming its position in Nigeria. Among the notable figures present were Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Gov. Peter Mba of Enugu (represented by his deputy), and Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun.
The summit also saw participation from former governors, Board of Trustees members, and numerous representatives from the PDP's southern zones. Makinde highlighted the need for continued engagement and inclusivity, stating that the party would persist in reaching out to various interests ahead of the National Executive Council meeting.
Makinde noted the PDP's recent victory in a by-election in Oyo State as a testament to the party's enduring presence and potential. He appealed to Nigerians to support the PDP, emphasizing the party's plans for the future.
The meeting, organized under the auspices of the PDP Zoning Committee chaired by Diri, included prominent figures such as former PDP Deputy National Chairman Chief Bode George and BOT Chairman Sen. Adolphus Wabara. However, the absence of loyalists of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike was notable, as party leaders in Wike's camp had dismissed the Lagos meeting as "illegal" and "exclusionary."