Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remained strong and united in the state, saying the party will win the forthcoming local government election.
He said the ruling party in the state would emerge victorious in the local council poll as a result of the people-oriented programmes of his administration.
The governor stated this on Thursday, noting that the developments witnessed by all zones of the state since his administration began in 2019 are remarkable and that there would be continuity.
Governor Makinde spoke in Iseyin, where he welcomed the senatorial candidate of the Accord Party in Oyo North Senatorial District and former member of the House of Representatives on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Honourable Shina Peller, into the PDP.
Makinde, represented by his deputy, Alhaji Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, called on new and old party members to work in unison to deliver candidates of the PDP in the local government poll.
Peller and his followers in the Accord Party across the senatorial district, defected into the ruling PDP at an elaborate event held at the Ojude Oba, Iseyin, citing Governor Makinde’s people-oriented governance in the state as the reason for joining the PDP.
Governor charged PDP members, especially in Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso, to support and welcome the defectors with a large heart, so that the party could continue to wax stronger.
He said there is enough room for everyone to operate, adding: “I want to greet our party leaders and elders who are here at this event.
“Being progressive without power is zero but we want power in Iseyinland, Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso and Oyo State in general. This is why Shina Peller is joining the party that gives power to the people.
“When you are looking for something within a particular place and you didn’t get it, won’t you leave the place and go to another place where you can find it?
“I want to assure Peller that he and other followers won’t regret joining the PDP and a lot of benefits will come to them, undoubtedly.
“I want to also greet the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Kabiyesi Oba Sefiu Oyebola. There has been progress in this land during his reign.
“The developments that each zone in the state has witnessed since Governor Makinde came on board are remarkable and I believe we all want all of these to continue.
“I want to urge the PDP members to join hands together with Peller and his followers for the progress of our party. Let us integrate and support them as we welcome them into our fold.
“We know the local government election is forthcoming and we want the PDP to win in all the polling units. So, I am happy to hand over the flag of the PDP to Peller at this moment.”
In his speech, Honourable Peller pointed at the developmental strides and the visionary leadership of Governor Makinde as the reason for his and his followers’ defection into the PDP.
He pledged their unalloyed support for the continuity of dividends of democracy in Oke Ogun and the state in general through the governor, commending the governor for his laudable project and linking all the zones together through road infrastructure.
He said: “My decision to join PDP is hinged on the good performance of Governor Makinde’s administration.
“As you know, politics is always about interests; either by people’s interest, religious interest or personal interest. But I have not taken this decision because of personal interest. To me, the most important thing to protect in politics is the interest of the people, who are the majority.
“Today, I can say that I am speaking for the people of Oke-Ogun/Ogbomoso South/Ogbomoso North and Oriire, which make up the Oyo North Senatorial District. We have seen the reasons to align with the vision of an amiable leader, Governor Makinde.
“Our land is blessed with so many resources both human resources and natural mineral resources, but these resources failed to bring positive results over the years because of bad leadership until Governor Makinde came on board.
“As I always say, there is no leadership when there is no vision, Governor Makinde is a visionary. The Omituntun 2.0 is a clear vision that is for the people to prosper.
“He is someone that pays so much attention to the interest of the masses and it is for this reason that we have decided to join hands with the governor and the members of the great party, PDP.
“Truly a lot of people know that I am a progressive and I have told them that I have come to PDP for power, because I need power to progress.
“So my people, as we join PDP today, I pray to God Almighty for our presence to bring greatness, prosperity for the people of Oyo State state in general.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Oyo State PDP chairman, Hon. Dayo Ogungbero, represented by the deputy state chairman, Honourable James Olukunle, described Peller and his followers’ defection as a step in the right direction, charging the new entrants to remain loyal and faithful to the party.
In their separate goodwill messages, the PDP National Vice Chairman (South-West), Kamorudeen Ajisafe; chairman, Oyo State Elders Council, Dr Saka Balogun; former state chairman, Oyo State PDP, Chief Omokunmi Mustapha and Chief Jacob Adetoro, welcomed the defectors and assured them of equal opportunities in the party.
