Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has dismissed the newly formed opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress, stating it poses no threat to the Peoples Democratic Party.
The governor made this assertion during the South-West PDP Caucus meeting held Friday at the party’s zonal secretariat in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The meeting addressed key issues confronting the party in the region, with particular attention given to the Federal Government’s continued withholding of local government allocations meant for Osun State.
According to reports, party leaders called for the immediate release of the funds, describing the action as unconstitutional.
Makinde used the platform to reaffirm the South-West PDP Caucus’ commitment to the party, stating, “We reaffirm our unwavering loyalty to the PDP and commitment to the unity, stability, progress and success of the party at all levels in the zone and across the country.”
He strongly criticized the coalition, describing its members as individuals who had previously failed to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
“We want the whole world to know that PDP in the South-West is united; we are together. Coalition is not a threat to the PDP. Who are these people in this coalition? They have been in some parties before, whether PDP or APC. What are their antecedents?” he asked.
The governor also condemned the withholding of Osun’s local government funds, stating, “The withholding of the Osun State Local government allocation by the Federal Government is unconstitutional, unwarranted and a violation of the rights and well-being of the people of Osun State.”
Questioning the credibility of the opposition politicians, Makinde added, “And does it mean that every time they move from one party to the other, they have repented or they have changed or they have something new to offer the people? Those are salient questions.”
Highlighting the PDP’s resilience in the region, he concluded with a metaphor, saying, “This building here is PDP’s South-West building. If the roof is leaking, as leaders of PDP in the South-West, are we going to abandon the building and go somewhere else to take refuge?”
