The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Dayo Ogungbenro, has disclosed that Governor Seyi Makinde and members of the party in the South-West will contest the 2027 general elections on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), citing ongoing legal and political uncertainties within the PDP.
The party chairman, loyal to Governor Makinde, disclosed in an exclusive interview with PrimeStar News Online that the relationship between the PDP and APM is an established political arrangement aimed at protecting party members’ interests ahead of the next election cycle.
According to him, many PDP members have already moved into the APM and obtained membership cards as part of the strategy.
“Makinde, my leader, and the PDP in the South-West will contest under APM,” he said.
Responding to questions about the legality of the arrangement, the PDP chieftain insisted that there was nothing unconstitutional about the alliance, maintaining that party members were free to associate politically within the framework of the law.
He argued that recent developments within the PDP, including internal divisions and legal disputes, informed the decision to adopt an alternative political platform.
The chairman alleged that the crisis within the opposition party was aggravated by external political interference, claiming that the PDP had been weakened by internal factionalisation.
He further expressed concerns over the implications of recent judicial pronouncements on the party’s future participation in elections.
According to him, unresolved leadership disputes within the PDP could create legal complications for candidates contesting elections under the party’s banner in 2027.
“Whether it is Nyesom Wike’s group, Seyi Makinde’s group or Bukola Saraki’s group, any faction that goes into the 2027 election under the current situation may end up being declared invalid,” he said.
He warned that even victorious candidates could face post-election legal challenges capable of overturning their mandates, adding that the move to APM was intended to shield party loyalists from such uncertainties.
“That is why we decided to adopt another platform so our people would not suffer politically,” he stated.
The PDP chairman also addressed criticisms surrounding the emergence of Bimbo Adekanmbi as the party’s governorship candidate under the Omituntun 3.0 political agenda, despite his relatively recent entry into the party.
Defending the decision, he dismissed claims that long-serving party members were unfairly treated, insisting that the selection process was transparent and inclusive.
“Fairness is subjective. What is fair to you may not necessarily be fair to me. To us, giving Adekanmbi the governorship ticket was fair,” he said.
He revealed that Governor Seyi Makinde convened an extensive consultative meeting involving aspirants and stakeholders from the seven geopolitical zones of the state before a final decision was reached.
According to him, three aspirants from each zone participated in an all-night engagement where issues such as zoning, religion, regional interests and succession were openly debated.
The chairman said he personally advocated for Oke-Ogun to produce the next governor but acknowledged that other considerations influenced the eventual outcome.
He described the consultation process as a demonstration of leadership and inclusiveness, noting that participants were given the opportunity to air their views before a consensus emerged.
“As far as I know, leaders are usually concerned about who succeeds them because they want continuity and someone who will preserve their legacies,” he said.
He added that stakeholders eventually agreed to set aside sentiments relating to religion and zoning and support the governor’s choice in the interest of party unity.
“At the conclusion of the engagement, we all agreed that since he had allowed everyone to be heard, we should also honour his decision,” he said.
The PDP chairman maintained that Governor Makinde’s performance in office influenced the desire among party leaders and stakeholders to support a successor capable of sustaining the administration’s policies and achievements.
