Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will govern the state beyond 2027, reclaim the presidency and win massively in the next general election.
He stated this at the Oyo PDP 2025 State Congress, on Monday, citing the party’s respect for internal democracy and the amicable conduct of its congresses as a pointer to its strength.
The 2025 state congress, held at the Basket Ball Area of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, was attended by the PDP ward and local government executives, ad-hoc delegates and stakeholders of the party from the 33 local government areas of the state.
Governor Makinde commended the rancour-free congresses held by the PDP from ward to local government and the state levels, noting that the process would ensure the party’s retention of power beyond 2027 in Oyo State.
He tasked the new PDP state executive members to work hard towards ensuring the victory for the party in all elections, beginning from local to the national levels.
This was as the governor assured party members in the state who were yet to be compensated that they had not been forgotten by the state government.
He said: “I want to congratulate all of us in advance because I believe, in this party, we won’t all labour in vain. We will all reap the fruits of our labour in this government.
“Let me assure us once again that those who are yet to get something from this government will be reached soon.
“This exercise is to ensure that the PDP continues to remain in power in Oyo State beyond 2027.
“So, the executives that will emerge from this exercise; your mandate is clear — deliver PDP from the presidential to the councillorship position in 2027.”
Meanwhile, Honourable Dayo Ogungbenro has been re-elected as the chairman of the PDP in Oyo State, while Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke has been elected deputy state chairman.
Oyelami Oyeyemi, Olawumi Elizabeth Toyin and Bello Kazeem Olalekan were elected PDP State Secretary, Women Leader and Youth Leader, respectively.
Speaking earlier, Chairman, Oyo State PDP Congress Electoral Panel, Senator Austin Akobundu, commended Governor Makinde, party leaders and stakeholders for their commitment and efforts towards fostering unity in the PDP.
He also stressed that the congress was of great significance to the party, adding that the Oyo PDP, under the leadership of Makinde, has been one of the strong chapters of the party.
According to him, the Oyo PDP has been recording unprecedented growth and transformation through the governor’s political goodwill.
Akobundu urged members of the party to remain orderly, assuring that the party would return all its candidates in the 2027 general election.
He said: “We thank God for the safe arrival of all delegates. They are here in their numbers. Today’s (Monday) event has great significance for our party because Oyo State PDP has been one of the strongest chapters of our party in the country.
“Under the leadership of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, this party has grown from strength to strength. The testimonial is the recent bye-election into the House of Representatives, which the PDP won.
“I want to thank the governor for the strong leadership that he has provided and for the growth we have witnessed.
“Today, we expect nothing different from what we have done before. Most congresses here have been very seamless, and I can see that the event is well-organised today. This is a reflection of the acceptance of the PDP.”
In their separate goodwill messages, former deputy governor of Oyo State and PDP National Deputy Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu and Senator Gbenga Babalola, described the peaceful conduct of the state congress as a demonstration of the party’s commitment to internal democracy.
They commended Governor Makinde for stabilising the party and prayed for a more united PDP in Oyo State and Nigeria.
In his acceptance speech shortly after the election, Oyo PDP chairman, Ogungbenro, thanked Governor Makinde and all the leaders of the party for their support and commitment.
He also assured that the party would work hard to deliver its candidates in the 2027 general election.
Also in his brief remarks, former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, congratulated the 39 newly-elected state executive members.
Lamido, one of the founding fathers of the party, charged the new executives to continue to work for the progress and development of the party.
The exercise was monitored by a team from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The congress had in attendance the deputy governor of Oyo State, Chief Bayo Lawal; a former deputy governor of the state, Engineer Hamid Gbadamosi; Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adebo Ogundoyin;
Serving and former National Assembly members; state House of Assembly members; leaders and delegates of the party from the 33 local government areas in the state and local government chairmen, among others.
