Following the rate of defections of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other opposition party, the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has urged members of the Party not to lose hope.
He assured them that the party’s current challenges are only temporary and that victory lies ahead.
Makinde, who made the remark on Monday during the inauguration of the PDP National Convention Transportation Subcommittee in Abuja, noted that although the party is currently facing a challenging period, the experience will eventually fortify the PDP and position it for future electoral victories.
The Oyo State Governor, who is the Chairman of the Transportation Subcommittee, encouraged members to remain steadfast, united, and focused on the greater goal of rebuilding the party for national success.
Responding to the wave of defections, Makinde appealed to all PDP members to remain steadfast, noting that although the situation may seem difficult now, it will eventually improve.
“We are all from every corner of this country. We have individuals from the Northwest, from the North-Central, from the North-East, from the South-West, from the South-South, and from the South-East.
“That is PDP. They can go out there and say that PDP is not everywhere, but let me give you the assurance that PDP is in every ward of this country.
“So I want to ask you, please, let us show commitment and let us show dedication. And let me digress a little bit and use this opportunity to tell our people, PDP members all over this country that this situation may appear like it is difficult.
“The news out there is that people are defecting, governors are defecting.
“I have good news. It may appear that it’s getting worse. But usually, when you want something that will endure, it will usually get worse before it gets better. So don’t even think otherwise. From when the 34 wise men came together to put democracy on the map for this country, at the beginning of this republic in 1999, PDP has always been a constant factor, either as a ruling party or the main opposition party since 2015.
“We’re not going anywhere. So I want to encourage you, when you hear the news that certain people have defected, please, just hold your own corner for PDP. Hold your own corner for PDP. And this is the moment where new, authentic heroes are going to be made. Not only for PDP but for our country. So this is not the time to despair at all. It’s not the time to engage in self-doubt. This is the time to come out boldly and be counted.”
Makinde appealed to party members to have confidence in the leadership that will emerge from the forthcoming PDP National Elective Convention, assuring that the party will produce capable leaders committed to rescuing Nigeria.
“I am holding my own corner. It will all add up. And watch my lead. Trust me. Trust the leadership that we will enthrone, and the leadership that will midwife the enthronement of the leaders that will eventually help this country.
So what I will ask is, just play your part. No matter how little, no matter what assignment you have been given, do it diligently, and we will all reap the benefits.
“I thank you for accepting to serve in this subcommittee. If you remember, four years ago, in 2021, I was the Secretary of the National Convention Organising Committee then. And now they asked me to be the Chairman of this subcommittee, and I accepted, because no assignment is too big or too small to ensure that our party gets on the trajectory where we can say to Nigerians again that we have an idea.
“So some of you also may be in the same situation as myself. Maybe you’ve served, perhaps before now, in some higher capacity.
What I want you to do is see this assignment as a special sacrifice to ensure that PDP gets back on its original trajectory.
“And for the assignment at hand, and you may think, what’s a Transportation Subcommittee? We really want to ensure all the logistics of moving our delegates and supporters from every nook and cranny of Nigeria to Ibadan.
“So our work is not when they show up in Ibadan; our work will start before they even leave home. So it’s a major task, and the success of that convention will depend on the efficiency that we are able to put into our assignment.”
