The embattled Governor Seyi Makinde-led Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has plunged into a deepening crisis following a controversial declaration granting automatic tickets to serving lawmakers—a move that has unsettled party leaders, disrupted political alignments, and triggered a scramble for alternative positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The decision, announced at a pivotal stakeholders’ meeting convened by the governor at the government secretariat in Ibadan weeks ago, was expected to provide clarity on the party’s internal challenges, particularly its festering supremacy battle with the faction aligned to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, but instead opened a new fault line within the party.

Multiple sources present at the meeting told Mega Icon Magazine that expectations were high that Governor Makinde would reassure party leaders on efforts to stabilise the PDP and strengthen its position ahead of the next electoral cycle, but his pronouncement endorsing incumbents at both the state and National Assembly levels came as a shock, leaving many stakeholders disillusioned.

A senior party figure, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the governor’s position had “upturned existing political calculations across the state,” noting that several aspirants who had invested heavily in their ambitions were abruptly shut out of the race. “What was expected to be a reconciliatory and strategic meeting ended up creating fresh tension. Many leaders left more uncertain than they arrived,” the source said.

The immediate effect of the declaration has been a wave of political recalibrations across key constituencies, including Ibadan South East/North East Federal Constituency, where aspirants who had been preparing for the House of Representatives contest have now been forced to abandon their plans.

Among those affected is a former council boss and lawmaker, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige, who had stepped down during the 2023 elections and was widely tipped to re-contest, but has now reportedly shifted his focus to the Oyo South Senatorial District, a development party insiders linked directly to the closure of opportunities created by the automatic ticket arrangement. A similar trend is unfolding in Ibadan North, where a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dada Awoleye, has also joined the growing list of aspirants for the senatorial seat, while former lawmaker, Gbede Aderemi Waheed and the Chairman of Ibadan North West Local Government, Hon. Rahmon Adepoju, among others have equally indicated interest, further intensifying competition in the senatorial district.

Sources within the party described the development as a “forced convergence,” explaining that the automatic tickets granted to incumbents had effectively blocked access to other elective positions, thereby pushing displaced aspirants into the same senatorial and house of representatives’ races in what one insider termed “a survival-driven political migration.”

Amid the growing discontent, influential stakeholders within the PDP are said to be insisting on a strategic shift that prioritises electoral strength over incumbency, warning that the party risks losing ground to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political parties if it fails to present candidates with strong grassroots appeal and financial capacity.

The concern, it was gathered, is heightened by speculations that the APC may field formidable candidates across key positions, including Hon. Aderemi Oseni, while the incumbent senator, Sarafadeen Alli, is being linked with a possible governorship ambition, a scenario PDP leaders fear could tilt the balance of power if not effectively countered.

“This is about winning elections, not rewarding loyalty blindly,” a party chieftain said. “The APC and other parties are preparing, and we must be realistic enough to present candidates who can match them in influence, popularity, structure, and resources.”

Beyond electoral strategy, stakeholders have also raised concerns over what they described as the marginalisation of loyal party members who stood by the PDP during its turbulent moments, arguing that such individuals deserved recognition rather than exclusion under the current arrangement.

According to another source, resentment is growing among party faithful who believe that the majority of the incumbents being favoured with automatic tickets have not demonstrated exceptional performance or contributed significantly to party development, insisting that lawmakers who have completed two terms should either seek higher offices or allow fresh eminently qualified contenders to emerge.

Further fuelling uncertainty is the governor’s reported position that while he would remain in the PDP, aspirants interested in contesting elections might have to pursue their ambitions on another political platform, with assurances of his total support, a stance that has intensified speculations about possible realignments ahead of the polls.

The speculation gained traction following Makinde’s recent engagement with leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, although details of the meeting remain unclear.

Party insiders said the absence of a clear directive from the governor on the outcome of the engagement has heightened anxiety within the PDP, especially as the timeline for party primaries draws closer and aspirants remain uncertain about the platform on which they may eventually pursue their political ambitions.

At the grassroots level, resistance to the automatic ticket policy is said to be intensifying, with several party members across local governments rejecting the move on the grounds of poor performance by some incumbents and their alleged disconnect from party structures and constituents.

A ward leader who spoke with our correspondent warned that enforcing the decision without a broad consensus could have serious electoral consequences, noting that “imposition has never produced victory in a competitive political environment.”

Despite the growing tension, Governor Makinde has yet to publicly address the concerns or provide a definitive roadmap for the party’s direction, even as his recent engagements have done little to calm the situation among the stakeholders.

With the 2027 general elections approaching and internal pressures mounting, the party now faces a critical test of cohesion and strategic clarity, as stakeholders await the governor’s next move in what many believe could ultimately determine their electoral fortunes in Oyo State.

(c) Mega Icon Magazine