Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has come out to downplay the exit of the People’s Democratic Party Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
He recently declared that Atiku’s defection will not affect the future of the party.
Speaking during an interview with journalists at the 10th anniversary of the rulership of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, in Akure, Makinde said that he does not believe Abubakar’s exit will dent the party’s image in any way.
According to him, he also does not think the African Democratic Congress poses a threat to the People’s Democratic Party ahead of 2027 because it is better for the people holding PDP down to excuse themselves.
“Politics is a game of interest. I don’t think that will make any dent on PDP as a party.
The Peoples Democratic Party is an institution. We have freedom of entrance and exit. Anyone who will hold PDP down, it is better for such a individual to quit.
l don’t see ADC as a threat to PDP.
The goal is about the same. If you are not happy about the tempo and pace of governance, you are free to associate and see what can be done.
But one thing we must all realize is that players will come and go, governors will come and go, president will come and go but our state and country will remain,” he said.
He further called for a constitutional role for traditional rulers in the near future, stressing that his government in Oyo has taken decisive steps to integrate traditional institutions into the governance architecture.
He concluded by saying that collaborating favourably with traditional institutions will yield excellent results.
“In Oyo State, we have been having good collaboration with traditional institutions, and we have had great results from such collaborations.
That is why we are pushing for a constitutional role for them so that they don’t keep floating. They can participate and contribute, and also we can hold them accountable.
We institutionalised their role in the State Security Council. Our royal fathers are not bystanders. They serve as first responders, sources of local intelligence, and advocates for peace.
We passed laws to remove ambiguity around succession and throne ascension. The outcome? Fewer legal battles, reduced communal tension, and enhanced legitimacy for our royal fathers,” he added.
