Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has downplayed the impact of Atiku Abubakar’s resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting that the former Vice President’s departure poses no threat to the party’s stability or future.
Speaking to journalists in Akure, Ondo State, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, during a colloquium marking the 10th coronation anniversary of Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, the Deji of Akure, Governor Makinde emphasized that the PDP is an institution that allows freedom of entry and exit.
“I don’t think that will make any dent on PDP as a party. PDP is an institution, and you have freedom of entrance and exit,” he stated.
Makinde further dismissed any potential political threat posed by the newly formed Alliance Democratic Congress (ADC), believed to be a coalition led by Atiku. He described the party as just another platform contesting alongside others in the Nigerian democratic space.
Makinde on Traditional Institutions and Nation Building
During the keynote lecture titled “The Role of Nigeria’s Traditional Institutions in Nation Building: Impediments, Impacts, and Prospects”, Governor Makinde called for the reinforcement of traditional institutions as vital stakeholders in governance and national cohesion.
“Traditional institutions are not relics of the past, but enduring pillars of identity, legitimacy, and communal cohesion,” Makinde said.
He noted that before formal governance structures, traditional rulers played crucial roles in justice delivery, local security, and unity, roles they still fulfill today.
“Strengthening traditional institutions is not simply about cultural preservation, but about strategic governance,” he added.
Makinde highlighted that his administration has successfully integrated traditional rulers into Oyo State’s governance structure, yielding positive results in grassroots mobilization and community trust.
Deji of Akure Backs Constitutional Role for Traditional Rulers
Appreciating the governor’s remarks, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi echoed Makinde’s call for enhanced constitutional recognition of traditional rulers, noting their pivotal role in nation-building.
The monarch praised the unity in Akure Kingdom and lauded the support from the Ondo State government and indigenes of the town toward the growth of the Deji Palace.
