A faction within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State has launched scathing criticism against Governor Seyi Makinde, accusing him of effectively destroying the party during the recent national convention held in Ibadan.
Group's Damning Allegations
The Concerned Youth Movement (CYM), through its Publicity Secretary Alhaji Laide Ajao, issued a strongly worded statement claiming that Governor Makinde's actions and inactions during the convention held between Saturday and Sunday led to the party's demise. The group specifically highlighted the absence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from observing the proceedings as a critical failure.
In their assessment, the national elective convention represented nothing more than a futile exercise that sealed the party's fate. The CYM went as far as declaring that the PDP has finished, died and was buried during the weekend convention in Ibadan, the state capital.
Call for Mass Defection
The group issued a direct appeal to party members with political ambitions, urging them to immediately seek alternative platforms. They specifically recommended the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a viable option for those wanting to pursue their political aspirations.
The statement posed a challenging question to PDP members: "if Seyi Makinde were running for his second term, would he have made the same decisions?" This rhetorical question underscored their belief that the governor's actions were self-serving rather than party-oriented.
According to the CYM's bleak prediction, the PDP cannot and will not present any candidate for the crucial 2027 general elections, making immediate defection necessary for politically ambitious members.
New Leadership's Promises
In contrast to the gloomy assessment from the youth group, the newly elected PDP chairman Kabiru Turaki, SAN, struck a more optimistic tone during his acceptance speech. Turaki pledged to ensure that power returns to the Nigerian people and promised an end to impunity and suppression of the people's will.
The new chairman made a direct appeal to the judiciary, urging them to uphold the principles of stare decisis and avoid any actions that might be interpreted as attempts to truncate Nigerian democracy.
Turaki emphasized that the party's new leadership would be responsive to members' yearnings, declaring that "No more monkey dey work, baboon dey chop," adding that "if baboon wants to chop, baboon must be seated to work." This colorful analogy signaled his commitment to ensuring that rewards would only come through hard work within the party.
The chairman also highlighted the PDP's enduring brand identity, noting that unlike other parties that started with it, the PDP has maintained its original name, motto and logo, making it a recognized brand throughout Nigeria.
