Olayiwola Matthew
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has downplayed concerns over the impact of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting the party remains unshaken and poised for success in the 2027 elections.
Speaking at the 10th coronation anniversary colloquium of the Deji of Akure, Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, Governor Makinde described Atiku’s departure as “liberating” for the PDP, stressing that anyone holding the party back should simply exit.
Makinde reacted shortly after Atiku Abubakar made public his resignation through a letter addressed to the PDP chairman of Jada 1 Ward in Adamawa State, dated July 14, 2025. The move follows Atiku’s recent alignment with a coalition of opposition figures who adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their new political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Dismissing speculation that Atiku’s exit could jeopardize the PDP’s electoral chances, Makinde remarked, “Politics is a game of interest. I don’t believe his resignation will leave any dent on the PDP. Ours is an institution — people are free to come and go. But if someone’s presence is stifling the party, it’s better they move on.”
The Governor maintained that the PDP remains solid and unshaken, expressing confidence that the party’s foundation is too strong to be rattled by individual defections. He also brushed off the idea that the ADC poses a serious challenge to the PDP, noting that while it is within anyone’s right to align with alternative platforms, it doesn’t change the fact that institutions, not individuals, are what endure in governance.
Makinde, reiterating his commitment to party unity and national development, emphasized that leadership may come and go, but the country and its core institutions must be preserved.
He concluded by calling for focus on building enduring democratic structures rather than personal political ambitions.