Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to uphold fairness, inclusivity, and open debate as the party prepares for its upcoming national convention.
The elective convention, scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, will elect 19 new members of the National Working Committee. Party leaders have described the event as a turning point to restructure and reposition the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Makinde stressed that only a transparent and democratic process would strengthen party unity and improve its credibility with Nigerians. He referenced the recently concluded Oyo State PDP congress, which he described as rancour-free, as a model the party could emulate at the national level.
He explained that the congress showed how disagreements could be managed without division and ambitions directed toward constructive outcomes instead of conflict.
Makinde said, “We now look forward to our Ibadan convention in November with hope rather than fear. This is a major win for the party, for democracy, and for you, the people.”
Analysts view the Ibadan convention as a major test of the PDP’s cohesion as various interest groups position themselves ahead of 2027. The outcome, they argue, could determine how strong the party will be in the coming years.
Makinde, however, insisted that a fair and credible process would send a strong message to Nigerians that politics can be conducted with dignity. He added that the convention would demonstrate the PDP’s capacity to provide leadership by example, especially in managing its internal affairs.
