Makinde, Saraki Preach Peace As PDP Inaugurates Governors Board

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Thursday called on leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to prioritise party unity and the collective good over personal ambitions for the 2027 presidential race.

The two leaders made the appeal during the inauguration of the party’s Board of Governors and the unveiling of the roadmap for the newly launched Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI) at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

Their message comes amid rising concerns within the PDP that the presidential ambitions of key figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and even Governor Seyi Makinde could deepen internal divisions, undermining efforts to reconcile and rebuild the party ahead of future elections.

The PDP has recently been split into factions, with some members aligning with Atiku, others supporting Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and more recently, a faction backing Governor Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum.

The tension reached a new peak when Mohammed made his presidential intentions for 2027 public, fueling fears of more fragmentation within the party.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Bukola Saraki, a former Senate President, emphasized that the PDP’s success and future could not be built on individual ambitions but on a shared vision for the country.

Saraki pointed out that the PDP had long been the party of the people and should not allow personal aspirations to sacrifice its unity.

“The PDP was founded on ideas, philosophies, and policies,” Saraki said. “Let us move away from building our ideas around personal ambition.

We cannot have a successful ambition if we don’t have a united party. And we cannot have a party without a clear ideological foundation. This is where it starts.”

He continued, “The PDP must focus on what it represents, the issues it stands for, and the policies it will implement. That’s what Nigerians want to hear.

Let’s stop talking about who is running for president or governor in 2027. Let’s focus on what the party stands for and how we can serve the people better.”

Saraki also underscored the importance of the newly established Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI) in strengthening the party’s intellectual base and leadership.

He noted, “It is an embarrassment that as a major political party, we didn’t have an institute until now. But today, we are closing that gap, sending a message that the PDP is serious and ready to lead again.”

Governor Seyi Makinde echoed Saraki’s sentiments, urging party members to focus on reviving the PDP rather than allowing personal political aspirations to derail their progress.

Reflecting on his own journey within the PDP, Makinde expressed gratitude for the opportunities the party had provided him, saying his political success would not have been possible without the PDP.

“The PDP gave me the opportunity to secure not one, but two back-to-back mandates,” Makinde said.

“But what do we want to be remembered for? We must be remembered for helping to restore the party’s strength and relevance, not for building personal political empires.”

Makinde also highlighted the importance of offering Nigerians a clear and hopeful alternative in the face of current economic challenges. “Since 2015, things have only gotten worse.

Now, as we face growing economic instability, the PDP must offer hope. Nigerians are looking to the party for direction and leadership,” he said.

Makinde also used the occasion to stress the importance of unity as the PDP prepares for the upcoming governorship election in Ondo State. He pledged his full support for the party’s candidate, Agboola Ajayi, and called for a united front in the state.

“We know we are the more popular party in Ondo,” he said. “Our candidate has the vision for governance, but we must be united to ensure victory.

We must ensure that no attempt to rig the election succeeds. The PDP must go into Ondo as one party, united and determined to protect the will of the people.”

Makinde emphasized that the PDP’s strength lies in its ability to bring together all sectors of society, particularly the youth, and give them a genuine stake in the political process.

“The PDP is the only party that has allowed youth to actively participate in the political process. The PDI will only expand this space for youth to get involved, which is why I fully support it,” he added.

In closing, Makinde affirmed the PDP’s commitment to planning for governance and creating a blueprint to restore Nigeria to a path of prosperity.

“This unveiling marks a renewal of our pledge to rebuild this nation. We will fix the PDP, and then the PDP will fix Nigeria. That is the foundation for real hope for the Nigerian people.”

As the PDP moves forward, both Makinde and Saraki’s calls for unity and strategic focus reflect their concern that the party must come together if it hopes to regain power in the coming years.

By strengthening its internal unity and ideological foundation, the PDP aims to position itself as a credible and effective alternative to the ruling APC.