Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Saturday, called on stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to put aside their differences and work towards the unity of the party.
He made the appeal during the ongoing retreat organised by the party for elected officials in Bauchi, Bauchi State, saying that, going forward, the process of healing the party must begin immediately.
The governor urged party members to put aside issues capable of causing division in the party as a result of the in-fightings that occurred during the general elections and embrace peace.
He said, “Well, I want to point out that we went through a gruelling election, and whether we want to admit or not, we have issues amongst ourselves during the elections. But, you know what, the healing process has to start and it must start now.”
Makinde, while saying that the party must be forward-looking, admonished the governors to stand strong and continue to play a stabilizing role in the affairs of the party.
“We must focus on things that will unite us. We must, as a matter of urgency, be forward-looking. We have to tell ourselves the home-truth. One thing I can say is that, for the governors of the PDP, who are present here, I will say that the governors are willing, ready and able to play a stabilising role in this party.
“Let me conclude by saying that government will come and go but our country will remain. And, as a responsible opposition party, we must, where it is required, do things in the interest of this country. This is because if there is no Nigeria, there is no us.
“So, it is safer to offer a chance that offers itself and extemporize the procedure to fit it, rather than making plans, mature and waiting for an opportunity to use that plan,” he stated.
In a related development, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Kogi State, Dino Melaye, has challenged the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, to a show of support for the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal.
Governor Makinde is widely believed to have supported the campaign bid of President Bola Tinubu who sought election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Makinde had joined a group of five PDP governors known as the G5 in the lead-up to the February 25 presidential election.
With the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaring Tinubu as the winner, Atiku and others have filed petitions at the tribunal to challenge the victory.
During the question-and-answer portion of the event, Melaye redirected the governor’s words to him.
Asking Makinde to support Atiku’s claim that the election process was compromised, Melaye argued that the gesture “will show that the healing has truly started.”
“I just want to start by appreciating the comment of Governor Seyi Makinde this morning, particularly where he said, ‘Healing starts now,’” he said.
“And the way to start that healing is, I would be glad if between now, next week, and two weeks that we’ll be at the tribunal, to see Governor Seyi Makinde walk into the tribunal venue and sit down, to support the party, our candidate.”
According to the Kogi PDP candidate, it would demonstrate to Nigerians that the healing has started and show the world the PDP is united.
