By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
Oyo State governor, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde, yesterday beat his chest that the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) billed to hold in Ibadan, the state capital, in November, will be rancour-free.
The state chapter of the party held its congress at Basketball Court of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba on Monday, 29 September under a rancour-free environment.
Speaking during the event, shortly after casting his vote as a delegate, Makinde said a replica of the Monday exercise should be expected in the November national convention.
Members of the party and state’s delegates began arriving at the venue as early as 8:00 a.m., though voting eventually began late in the afternoon.
Among other party members that voted at the Congress were the State Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; South-West National Deputy Chairman, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, among others.
Also speaking during the event, House of Representatives member for Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West constituency, Hon. Adedeji Olajide also declared that the party’s congresses across the country signified a fresh beginning that would reposition it ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Olajide described the exercise as “the birth of a new PDP,” stressing that the reforms being witnessed across the state chapters of the PDP were signs of laying a solid foundation for a stronger and more united political family.
He noted that despite the turbulence of recent years, the PDP had weathered the storm and was poised to reclaim its pride of place in Nigeria’s national politics.
According to him, the party remained the most experienced political organisation in Nigeria, having mastered the democratic process over the years.
He emphasised that PDP had learnt from its past and was now embracing a new era of stability and inclusiveness.
“PDP is not a rookie party. We have been in this process longer than any other political party. Politics is our business, we have learnt it, we have mastered it.
“Gone are the days when violence was the order of the day. This is a new dawn for Nigeria,” he said.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Oyo State governor, Engr. Makinde (left), exchanging pleasantries with the member representing Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West federal constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Stanley Olajide, during the Oyo State congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held at the Basketball Court, Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan on Monday.
Photo: STEPHEN GBADAMOSI.
