Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has emphasized that the success of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2027 general elections hinges on the adoption and implementation of the reports from the PDP Reconciliation Committee by the National Working Committee (NWC).
These remarks were made during a luncheon held in honor of the members of the PDP National Reconciliation Committee, led by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, at the Presidential Lodge, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, on Wednesday.
Represented by his Deputy, Barrister Bayo Lawal, Governor Makinde stated that failure to implement the Committee’s recommendations would be counterproductive for the upcoming elections.
He expressed, “We must first recognize that the National Working Committee has wisely established a National Reconciliation Committee, headed by former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
This move was necessary given the challenges we faced leading up to the 2023 general elections, which yielded less-than-favorable outcomes.”
Makinde noted the importance of moving forward through reconciliation, acknowledging that the grievances of party members vary across states in the Southwest region.
“The establishment of this robust reconciliation committee demonstrates our readiness to embrace unity and progress within the party in preparation for future elections,” he stated.
He extended gratitude to the NWC of the PDP and the committee members for their extensive experience in politics and business, recognizing their commitment to the assignment.
“We cannot adequately express our appreciation for the sacrifices you have made; only God Almighty can reward you, and that reward will come when this assignment achieves its intended outcomes,” he added.
Makinde reiterated the need for the NWC to ensure that the findings of the reconciliation exercise are implemented effectively, warning that failure to do so could lead to reverting to previous issues. “We do not want to return to square one.
This is a call to the NWC, the Board of Trustees, and all members of our great party, the PDP,” he urged.
The governor also tasked the committee members to accurately document all identified challenges and issues while providing comprehensive recommendations for the party’s future.
“We know that the six states in the Southwest geopolitical zone have presented their concerns to you in the past two days. You will not shy away from presenting the whole truth, as that is crucial for our progress,” he emphasized.
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Earlier, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chairman of the PDP National Reconciliation Committee, noted that the committee’s findings were consistent with previous efforts led by Governor Makinde.
He pointed out that the challenges faced by the party primarily revolve around human interests, stating, “These issues are typical in any party vying for positions, as everyone seeks to protect their interests.”
Oyinlola expressed optimism that the identified issues were manageable and not insurmountable. “In our previous reconciliation efforts, we identified problems that were hindering our unity and success.
The complaints regarding congresses not being conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution are anomalies that we must address to avoid repetition in future exercises,” he said.
He praised the progress made within the Oyo State chapter of the party, noting, “I was pleased to see our leaders gathered together during my visit yesterday. This unity is a significant improvement from our previous encounters.”
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