Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has described the current situation within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a challenging period following the defection of Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara State, from the party.
Lawal announced his resignation from the PDP on Monday, March 9, a move that leaves Makinde and Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi State, as the only governors currently elected on the PDP platform.
Reacting to the development on Tuesday in Abuja during an expanded meeting of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Makinde acknowledged that the party is facing a difficult moment but expressed confidence that it would overcome the challenge.
“It’s a challenging period for us as leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party. It is also a challenging period for democracy in Nigeria,” Makinde said.
‘Only two remaining’
The governor noted that discussions with seasoned political actors and observers indicate that the current political climate in Nigeria is unusual.
“I have been talking to people of knowledge, people who have been involved in the political evolution of this country, and none of them have seen a political landscape like what we are witnessing today,” he said.
Makinde, however, maintained that despite the shrinking number of PDP governors, the party’s leadership remains undeterred.
“I can only say we are only two remaining, but we are not bothered.”
Call for reflection
The Oyo governor urged PDP leaders and members to reflect carefully on their actions during the period, stressing that history would judge their decisions.
“So, whatever role we want to play as individuals and collectively as a party, we must be conscious of what history is going to record against or for us for this period,” he said.
Despite the political turbulence, Makinde expressed optimism about the future of the party and Nigeria’s democracy.
“Weeping may endure for the night, but in the morning, joy cometh,” he added.
