.Stakeholders urge caution as fight for soul of party gets messier
JOSEPH OKWUOFU, Ibadan
The feud between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT), and former governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, and Oyo state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde over who controls the soul of the People’s DemocraticParty (PDP) on Tuesday assumed a new dimension as Makinde blows hot , calling Wike a ‘vagabond’.
Earlier, on Monday, Nyesom Wike had warned against what he described as attempts by vampires to hijack the party’s structure across the 36 states and the FCT.
The FCT Minister who spoke at the 105th meeting of the PDP’s National Executive Committee in Abuja on Monday, told the leaders of the PDP that he’s closely following developments within the Oyo PDP.
Ostensibly infuriated by Wike’s taunt, Governor Makinde declared that he will not allow what he described as “vagabonds” to hijack the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state or undermine its chances of retaining power.
Makinde made the declaration on Tuesday while addressing party leaders and members at the newly built Oyo State PDP Secretariat, located in Oke Ado area of Ibadan.
The governor, during a gathering attended by key stakeholders from across the state said his administration and loyal members of the party would resist any attempt by disgruntled elements to destabilise the PDP for selfish interests or pave the way for another political party to take over power in Oyo State.
Speaking emphatically, the governor reflected on past political alliances, admitting that he once worked closely with some of the individuals now opposing the party, but noted that he has since distanced himself from them.
“In Yorubaland, we say that if you see a house or compound that is peaceful, it is because the vagabond in that house has not yet grown up,” Makinde said.
“The vagabonds in PDP grew up in 2015 and had their time. For about 10 years, a decade, they practised their vagabondism in the PDP. But they were expelled in November 2025. So, there are no more vagabonds in the PDP,” he added.
The governor further remarked that although he once associated closely with those now working against the party, he had since had a change of heart.
“I once dined and wined with them. I even puked with them, but I have repented,” he said.
Makinde emphasised that the PDP remains the authentic platform for progressive governance in Oyo State, stressing that internal disputes and distractions would not be allowed to derail the party’s focus on delivering good governance to the people.
He also expressed confidence in the judiciary over ongoing legal battles involving the party, stating that justice would ultimately prevail.
“I believe strongly in the judiciary. At the end of the day, justice will be done, and the PDP will get justice,” the governor said.
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