Abuja, Nigeria: Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has issued a firm warning to members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against any attempts to disrupt the party’s upcoming National Convention.
Makinde, who is also the Chairman of the PDP National Convention Transportation Sub-committee, gave the warning while speaking with reporters after the inaugural meeting of the sub-committee on Monday in Abuja.
He advised those attempting to halt the convention process, irrespective of their stature or past grievances, to desist, for their own well-being.
“This meeting is just a demonstration of the fact that the national convention of our great party, the train has moved, and whoever is trying to stop it is probably also trying to commit suicide.
“So, my advice is, please, no matter how highly placed, no matter what has transpired in the past, we don’t want to see anyone dead. So, please don’t commit suicide,” Makinde said.
When asked if his comment was directed at any particular individual or faction within the PDP, Makinde said he was not being specific, noting that the party’s primary focus was to present a viable opposition that met the expectations of Nigerians.
He said that since 1999, the PDP had gone through different challenges and experiences, the lowest of it being losing power in 2015.
“The end is for Nigerians to have democracy, and for Nigerians to have a party that they can relate to.
“So, if you’re saying somebody is defecting, our house is not in order, democracy is about conflict and conflict resolution, and also resilience,” he said.
On the issue of recent high-profile defections, the governor reiterated the party’s focus, stating that the ultimate decider would be the Nigerian people, not the movement of politicians.
“We’re not concerned or bothered because the ultimate decider here will be the Nigerian people.
“The only time I or we will be concerned as a party is when we see hunger defects from the ordinary people on the streets and join the All Progressives Congress (APC), then that’s the time we will be concerned,” he said.
Speaking on constitutional amendments to curb defections, Makinde noted that Nigeria’s democracy was still unfolding, drawing parallels with experiences in advanced democracies like the UK and the US.
He, however, stressed that meeting the expectations of the Nigerian people remained the most crucial factor.
On speculation linking his commitment to hosting the convention to a 2027 ambition, Makinde said his priority was to ensure the party was structured correctly first.
“I already said to people several times, I’m old enough to set an agenda for myself. We must have a party before anyone can have an ambition.
“So, all the efforts right now, except you’re saying that, no, forget about having a party. Just focus on ambition. So nobody’s going to set an agenda for me.
“First things first, our first step is to put our best effort, the best foot forward to ensure that your state can host the best national convention ever in the history of PDP, and that is exactly what we’re focused on,” Makinde said.