- Seyi Makinde had postponed a key PDP meeting, leaving members uncertain about the party’s 2027 platform
- The governor had engaged in consultations with top politicians while considering options including ADC, NDC and APM
- Internal PDP crises and ongoing legal battles had complicated decision-making within the party
Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State were left in uncertainty on Wednesday after Governor Seyi Makinde failed to convene a scheduled stakeholders’ meeting expected to determine the party’s political direction ahead of the 2027 elections.
The meeting, initially slated for April 8, was meant to receive reports on consensus candidates for various elective positions and formally announce the platform on which the governor and his allies would contest. However, Makinde remained in Abuja, where he continued consultations with key political figures across party lines.
During his stay in the capital, Makinde held discussions at the residence of David Mark, the national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The meeting brought together influential politicians, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, Aminu Tambuwal, Liyel Imoke, and Babangida Aliyu, among others.
The PDP has been grappling with prolonged internal crises, leading to factional divisions involving groups aligned with Makinde, Tanimu Turaki, and Nyesom Wike. These divisions have complicated efforts to maintain a unified structure ahead of upcoming elections.
Sources within the party revealed that Makinde is weighing several political options, including aligning with the ADC, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). While the ADC initially appeared attractive due to its growing momentum, its ongoing internal crisis has reportedly prompted reconsideration.
The NDC, a relatively new political platform championed by Seriake Dickson, is being viewed by some as a “clean” alternative with fewer internal disputes. Meanwhile, the APM is also under consideration due to its less crowded structure and perceived flexibility.
Insiders suggest that Makinde may adopt a strategic approach, potentially allowing some aspirants to contest under alternative platforms while key stakeholders remain within the PDP pending the resolution of ongoing legal battles at the Supreme Court.
There are also indications that the governor is exploring alliances with other parties, possibly negotiating arrangements to share elective positions across platforms. However, concerns persist over the lack of a scheduled hearing date for the PDP’s appeal, despite legal provisions requiring expedited consideration.
Within Oyo State, party members have expressed growing anxiety, stressing that securing a viable political platform is more urgent than selecting candidates. Efforts are also reportedly underway to reconcile aggrieved members, with emissaries reaching out to key stakeholders, traditional rulers, and community leaders.
Despite these moves, some figures, including Mulikat Akande-Adeola, have dismissed overtures to rejoin Makinde’s camp.
As the political landscape continues to shift, the governor’s eventual decision is expected to play a crucial role in shaping alliances and electoral strategies ahead of the 2027 polls.
PDP faces deeper crisis as Makinde, Wike exchange words
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the long-running battle for control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flared up again on Tuesday , February 3, after Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, exchanged sharp words over the party’s leadership crisis.
The two politicians, who worked closely during the 2023 elections, are now openly at odds.
Makinde, speaking at the inauguration of the PDP secretariat in Ibadan, accused unnamed figures within the party of attempting to undermine it and vowed that such efforts would not succeed.