Politics
Makinde to South West PDP leaders: ‘We must allow peace to reign’
Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West have been urged to allow peace to reign, as that remains the only way the party could regain its lost grounds in the politics of the country.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State made this plea on Sunday, while hosting the leaders of Ondo State PDP, who were at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, to pay him a visit, appreciate his support for the party in the last governorship election in the state and declare support for his leadership of the party in the South West.
Makinde, according to a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, told the delegation from Ondo that the party would continue to seek peace in the South-West zone, because the zone is pivotal to the progress and stability of the country.
He equally urged the aggrieved parties in Ekiti and other states of the South West to sheath their swords and give peace a chance as, according to him, the situation will soon be resolved.
He said: “My message to the delegation from Ondo State is that we will continue to seek for peace in the South-West chapter of the PDP. And we are doing this because we believe that South-West is pivotal to Nigeria; to turn things around in this country and we don’t want to miss the opportunity.
“We will continue to appeal to the few of our colleagues that are disgruntled to let peace reign. Quite frankly, it is only God that can put anyone in a position of authority.
“Basically, what we said is that our members should go back to the state and continue to reach out to those who are not happy or who are aggrieved.”
While speaking on the crisis in the Ekiti State chapter of PDP, Governor Makinde said: “The two warring factions should give peace a chance and I really do not think it is as bad as it is being projected in the media.
“Yes, within a family, you have disagreements, which is what we are having right now and we will solve it the PDP way very soon.”
Earlier in his speech, the Ondo State PDP chairman, Mr. Fatai Adams, maintained that the Ondo State chapter of the party was in Oyo to appreciate Governor Makinde for his support during the last governorship election.
He added that members of the party in the state recognise Makinde as the South-West PDP leader and would give all the necessary support to reposition the party.
He said: “We are here to appreciate Mr. Governor for his support during our last gubernatorial election.
“Secondly, we are here on solidarity visit to let the whole world know that we, PDP members in Ondo State, recognise him as our leader in the South West and we are ready to give him all the necessary support.”
While fielding questions from journalists on the issue of the Senator representing Ondo South, Nicholas Tofowomo and Chief Eddy Olafeso, Adams stated that the PDP is one and intact in Ondo State, saying that the National Working Committee of the PDP has summoned the senator and that he has cleared himself.
He added that Olafeso must sit with the leadership of the PDP in Ondo so that everyone could be on the same page,
“As far as Ondo PDP is concerned, we met on the 12th of December and agreed on the zoning formula. That’s where we are standing.
“I can assure the entire world that Ondo PDP is intact and solidly one,” Adams added.
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the newly elected State Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
The party, at its state congress held on Tuesday at Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, elected a former Deputy Governor of the state, Moses Alake Adeyemo, as its new chairman alongside other state executive members.
Oseni, in a statement on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, described Adeyemo’s emergence as well-deserved, noting that his experience and longstanding commitment to the party would further strengthen its structure in the state.
He said the peaceful conduct of the congress demonstrated the party’s commitment to internal democracy and progressive leadership.
The statement said, “I congratulate our newly elected State Chairman and leader, His Excellency, Moses Alake Adeyemo, and other members of the State Executive Committee on their emergence. This victory reflects the confidence reposed in them by party members across the state.”
Oseni further expressed confidence that the new leadership would reposition the party for greater cohesion and electoral success.
According to him, “This is a critical moment for our party in Oyo State. It calls for unity, reconciliation, and renewed commitment to the ideals that bind us together as progressives.”
The federal lawmaker assured the new executives of his support and cooperation in advancing the programmes of the party and strengthening its grassroots structures.
He urged party members to rally behind the new leadership to ensure stability and secure future victories for the APC in the state.
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