2027: Makinde’s search for party stalls Oyo PDP plans

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State remain in limbo as Governor Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, failed to convene a planned meeting of party stakeholders and stalwarts to announce the platform on which its candidates would run in the 2027 elections.

Makinde had earlier scheduled Wednesday, April 8, for a meeting to receive a report on consensus candidates for elective positions across various levels, as well as to announce the party’s platform for the next elections.

However, the governor remained in Abuja on Wednesday, continuing talks with stakeholders across political parties in search of a platform for his supporters.

Among others, Makinde was at the Abuja residence of the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, David Mark, where he met former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former governors Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Liyel Imoke, Babangida Aliyu and Aminu Tambuwal.

Also present were members of a factional PDP led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN); former Minister of Information, Jerry Gana; PDP National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja; ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi; and his factional PDP counterpart, Ini Ememobong.

The PDP has been embroiled in persistent and unending crises for over a year, leading to its factionalisation into two dominant groups loyal to Makinde and Tanimu Turaki, and another to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Some PDP leaders in Oyo State, who spoke with The PUNCH on Wednesday, said the governor was considering aligning with the ADC, Nigeria Democratic Congress or Allied Peoples Movement.

One of the leaders said Makinde was inclined towards the ADC due to the momentum it was gaining, but was having a rethink following the crisis currently rocking the party.

The ADC crisis deepened on Tuesday when a new faction emerged, rejecting the authority of the Senator David Mark-led leadership and distancing itself from Nafiu Bala’s faction.

The group, led by Don Obinna, claimed to represent the legitimate National Executive Committee of the party.

While considering the ADC, Makinde is also said to be weighing options such as the NDC and APM.

In particular, the NDC is being viewed as a “clean” alternative and less likely to have been compromised like existing parties.

The NDC, unveiled in early 2026 as a new platform, is championed by former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson.

Dickson, the party’s national leader, said the NDC was ready to accommodate politicians seeking a new platform amid ongoing political developments.

The APM is also said to be under consideration, as it lacks established heavyweights and may only require adequate funding to become a formidable force nationwide.

An aide to Makinde claimed that President Bola Tinubu was also wooing the Oyo State governor but noted that such a move would be an uphill task.

We are being careful. We had wanted to go to the ADC, but if we did, we would face the same problems the party is currently experiencing. That is why we shifted today’s meeting. He was expected to declare the platform today.

“There is pressure from the NDC, and even the APC is wooing him, but we do not think he will oblige. We are looking for a platform without internal crises, so it does not become a case of problems emerging immediately we join.

“Once a heavyweight joins, issues begin. You would notice that immediately Kwankwaso joined the ADC, problems started,” the aide said.

Another party stalwart said Makinde might reach a compromise with other political parties to support certain candidates.

He noted that the party was surprised that one week after filing its appeal at the Supreme Court, no hearing date had been fixed.

He said the governor might direct some aspirants to move to another party to meet deadlines, while key stakeholders remain in the PDP pending the outcome of the Supreme Court case on the party’s crisis.

“We could allow contestants to move to another party while major stakeholders remain in the PDP until the Supreme Court determines the case, as primaries will end in May.

“We are negotiating with other parties and may adopt an arrangement where one party takes Senate seats, and another takes House of Representatives seats.

“However, it is surprising that the Supreme Court is yet to fix a date despite the Electoral Act stipulating seven days,” the source said.

Meanwhile, members of Makinde’s camp in Oyo State stressed that the issue of a political platform is more pressing than the emergence of consensus candidates.

“Do we even have a platform to contest before talking about candidates? We need to get the platform right first. Names of consensus candidates are expected to be submitted to the governor by stakeholders and committees, followed by ratification.

“The governor will meet zonal stakeholders on the submitted names, after which a meeting will be convened for ratification. We expect all this to happen within the next week,” a PDP stalwart said.

It was also gathered that the governor has begun sending emissaries to woo aggrieved members back to the party.

His allies are said to be making efforts to mend fences and strengthen his political base across the five zones of the state.

Aside from politicians, Makinde is also said to be reaching out to traditional rulers and community leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.

However, when contacted by The PUNCH on Wednesday, a top politician in the Ogbomoso zone, and former House of Representatives member, Mulikat Akande-Adeola said to be among those being wooed, dismissed the possibility of returning to work with Makinde, stating, “There is nothing like that.”