Governor Seyi Makinde has declared that candidates of the People’s Democratic Party in Oyo State for the 2027 general elections will emerge through a consensus process scheduled for April 8, as efforts intensify to steady the party amid internal tensions.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Ibadan, the governor made it clear that he and his political bloc would remain within the PDP despite mounting pressure and speculation about possible defections. He said the party in the state is prepared to confront its challenges directly and remain competitive.
Sources at the meeting said Makinde directed party leaders to begin immediate consultations and put in place the framework that will guide the emergence of candidates before the April 8 deadline. A follow-up stakeholders’ meeting has also been fixed for April 15 to conclude outstanding issues and firm up the party’s position.
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The governor outlined a series of concessions aimed at reducing friction within the party. First-term members of the National Assembly are expected to secure automatic tickets, while other serving lawmakers will enjoy the right of first refusal. Members of the State House of Assembly are also to be granted automatic tickets, while interested aspirants for local government chairmanship positions may be allowed to switch tracks.
Makinde also said that aspirants who find it difficult to secure the PDP ticket would not be abandoned. According to him, about 51 candidates may be supported to contest on alternative platforms if necessary, a move seen as a pragmatic response to the ongoing crisis at the national level.
Reaffirming his loyalty, the governor dismissed claims that the PDP is on the verge of collapse, insisting that the party will be on the ballot in 2027 and will field candidates across all elective positions. He described participation in the election as a priority that cannot be compromised.
The meeting, held at the Local Government Service Commission Secretariat in Ibadan, reviewed the state of the party against the backdrop of a prolonged leadership dispute linked to the November 2025 national convention. The controversy surrounding the convention, which produced a leadership structure under Tanimu Turaki, has triggered litigation and deepened factional divisions.
The crisis has also been shaped by competing alignments, including supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, further complicating reconciliation efforts within the party.
Despite these tensions, Makinde maintained that the PDP structure in Oyo remains intact. He described the political situation as involving both a contest among aspirants and a broader institutional struggle to secure recognition and placement on the ballot.
He urged party leaders to close ranks, engage in consultations across all levels, and adopt consensus-building measures that will preserve unity. According to him, flexibility and compromise will be required to accommodate competing interests without weakening the party.
Makinde acknowledged the legal disputes and leadership questions at the national level but expressed confidence that party elders are working towards a resolution. He stressed that unity, coordination, and discipline will determine the PDP’s chances in the next election cycle.
“This is not just about 2027,” the governor said. “It is about the future of democracy and the generations to come.”
