PDP Leaders Urge Unity Ahead of 2027 Elections, Warn Against Division

Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, and former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, have called on leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to remain united and put the party’s interests above personal ambitions. The appeal was made on Thursday during the official launch of the Board of Governors and the unveiling of the road map for the Peoples Democratic Institute at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

Makinde and Saraki’s call for unity comes amid concerns that internal divisions could harm the party’s chances in the 2027 presidential election. Tensions have reportedly risen due to potential presidential aspirations of party heavyweights, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and Makinde himself. Analysts fear these ambitions could derail reconciliation efforts being led by former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

Saraki, addressing party members, stressed the importance of prioritizing the PDP’s core values and mission over individual goals. “The party was built on ideas, philosophies, and policies. Let us move away from building ideas on self-ambition,” he said. “We cannot have an ambition if we don’t have a party. We cannot have a party if we don’t have ideas. This is where it starts from.”

Saraki urged the PDP to focus on what it stands for and what it can offer the Nigerian people, saying, “Let us talk about what the PDP represents. What are the issues and policies that we must take into account? This is what Nigerians outside want to know.” He also highlighted the need for institutions like the Peoples Democratic Institute to strengthen the party’s foundation. “Today, we are closing that chapter,” he said. “The message we are also sending to Nigerians is that this is a serious party. We are leaders. Let PDP lead in that way.”

Governor Makinde echoed Saraki’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for party members to work together and be remembered as those who revived the PDP’s fortunes. “A lot has been said about PDI and how it came to be. But the question I want to ask is, what will you want to be remembered for? This is the essence and the significance of today,” he said.

Reflecting on his political journey, Makinde thanked the PDP for the opportunities it provided him. “From 2019, I have been benefitting from PDP,” he said. “The only thing I can promise you is that since I fetched water from that well, and I have been drinking since 2019, I will not pollute the well when it is my time to exit that office.”

Makinde also touched on Nigeria’s current economic and social challenges, calling for the PDP to offer genuine hope and direction. “Since the elections of 2015, things have simply gone from bad to worse,” he said. “As we approach 2027, it is clear that the PDP has to provide real hope for Nigeria.”

The governor urged party members to rally behind the PDP’s governorship candidate in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, and ensure victory in the upcoming elections. “In a few days, we will be heading to Ondo State. We need true reconciliation and unity to wrest power from the APC in Ondo,” he stated. Makinde expressed confidence in the PDP’s popularity in the state, urging members to resist any attempts at election rigging. “We must go to Ondo as one united party and resist any attempt to truncate the will of the people.”

Makinde concluded by highlighting the PDP’s commitment to youth inclusion in politics and promised continued support for their participation. “The PDP is the only party in Nigeria that has allowed the youth to be part of a political institution,” he said, adding, “Finally, this unveiling starts as the renewal of the PDP’s pledge to start planning for governance and set out a blueprint to rebuild our nation.”

Makinde and Saraki’s calls for unity and focus on the party’s mission serve as a reminder of the challenges facing the PDP as it seeks to regain political power and provide leadership in Nigeria’s future.