Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde has expressed regret over his alignment with certain political factions within the party in 2023.

Nigerian Tribune reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been facing a leadership crisis, resulting in the emergence of multiple factions and ongoing litigation.

During the commissioning of the PDP Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, on Tuesday, Makinde acknowledged that his actions during this tumultuous period were regrettable.

He specifically lamented collaborating with individuals who ultimately betrayed the PDP by aligning with the opposition during the 2023 general election.

“When I came into government in 2019, and even up to 2023, I found myself aligned with some of these forces.

“But I have reflected, repented, and resolved never to allow that again. Anyone who thinks they can hijack the PDP to install another party in power should forget it.”

He argued that even though the crisis in the Party had lingered for so long, the hope is not lost with the confidence reposed in the Judiciary as the hope of the common people.

The governor, while reaffirming his confidence in the Judiciary, argued that all pending court cases involving the party would be resolved in its favour.

“Truth will always prevail. Lies may persist for years, even decades, but the day the truth finally emerges marks the end of falsehood.

“I have absolute confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary. The courts will do what is right and deliver justice to the PDP.”

He thereby charged party members to remain steadfast, united, and committed to the truth, stressing that indiscipline no longer has a place within the PDP.

Drawing from a Yoruba proverb, the governor said the internal crises that once plagued the party could be traced to the period following its loss of power at the federal level in 2015.

“In Yorubaland, there is a saying that when a house or compound is peaceful, it is because the unruly elements there have not yet grown up. In the PDP, those unruly elements came of age in 2015,” he said.

“They had their moment—almost a decade of disruption and recklessness—but they were firmly shown the way out in November 2025. There is no longer any room for such behaviour in the PDP.”

Makinde attributed the party’s past challenges to a leadership vacuum that emerged after 2015, which he said allowed indiscipline to thrive.

“When the PDP lost power at the federal level in 2015, a leadership vacuum emerged. That vacuum created the opportunity for indiscipline to take root. Otherwise, those elements would never have been able to gain a foothold in our great party,” he stated.

Makinde explained that the newly commissioned secretariat was named Mustafa House in recognition of Chief Omokunmi Mustapha’s role in leading the party back to power in Oyo State in 2019.

“After the PDP was out of power at the federal level from 2015, it was in 2019 that a chairman led the party back to power in Oyo State. That chairman is Chief Omokunmi Mustapha. In recognition of this legacy, this building is named Mustafa House,” he said.

He further emphasised that his commitment to the PDP extended beyond Oyo State.

“My interest is not limited to Oyo State alone. I am deeply committed to the growth, stability, and unity of the PDP at both the state and national levels,” Makinde added.

Earlier in his remarks, PDP South-West Chairman, Hon. Kamorudeen Ajisafe, described the commissioning as a strong signal of unity within the party across the region.

“Today’s event stands as a clear demonstration that the South-West is united and firmly positioned within our great party,” Ajisafe said, while commending Makinde’s consistency and leadership.

Similarly, Oyo State PDP Chairman, Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro, said the completion of the secretariat underscored the vision and leadership capacity within the party, admitting that he was initially sceptical about the project.

“When the idea of establishing this secretariat was first conceived, I doubted its feasibility, especially given the challenges the party had faced. But our leader is not a man who makes promises lightly. Once he speaks, he follows through. Today, history has been made,” Ogungbenro said.

He described the new secretariat as exceeding expectations and symbolising commitment and purposeful leadership.

“When I visited the facility, I was overwhelmed by its magnitude and quality. It is befitting, impressive, and worthy of the stature of our party,” he added.

Other party leaders who delivered goodwill messages at the event included the Deputy National Secretary, Architect Setonji Koshoedo; former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; former First Lady of Oyo State, Chief Mutiat Ladoja; and Chairman of the State Elders Council, Chief Saka Balogun. They all commended Governor Makinde for his magnanimity and described the secretariat as a symbol of PDP’s renewed strength and unity.

The newly commissioned secretariat features modern offices for executive members, a spacious conference hall, power-generating facilities, solar energy systems, and other essential amenities designed to support effective party administration. (TRIBUNE)

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