The Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, received accolades from a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State for his steadfast commitment to democracy and active support for Alfred Agboola Ajayi, the party's governorship candidate in Saturday’s Ondo State election.
The Oyo PDP-Visionaries expressed their admiration on Sunday, commending Governor Makinde for his leadership role within the PDP across the South-West region and his vigorous efforts to unite the opposition against what they described as the oppressive rule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement released by the group’s Lead Visioner, Qudus Olayide, it was noted that despite widespread skepticism about the electoral integrity under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, Governor Makinde displayed resilience in the face of electoral challenges in Ondo State.
The group condemned the heavy monetization of the electoral process, citing issues of vote-buying and violence allegedly orchestrated by the APC to secure a victory. They lamented that such tactics have undermined the democratic process, branding the APC's actions as detrimental to democracy.
Despite the election results, which they attributed to the APC's underhanded strategies and low voter turnout, the group emphasized that Makinde would be remembered as a champion of the people's cause.
They urged the governor to remain steadfast and not be disheartened by the outcomes in Ondo State, asserting that ultimately, the struggles against the APC's darkness would yield light.
In a related development, the national leadership of the PDP expressed its concern regarding the ongoing challenges faced by Nigerians under APC governance. The party's national chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, had stated that after the Ondo election, Oyo and Osun States were next targets for APC expansion.
In response, Oyo PDP's acting publicity secretary, Michael Ogunsina, characterized Ganduje's comments as delusional, asserting that Nigerians are united in their desire for relief from the suffering inflicted by the APC, which he likened to the devastation caused by banditry.
Ogunsina criticized the APC leadership for prioritizing power over addressing the nation’s pressing issues such as the crumbling national grid and declining economic conditions. He reaffirmed the resolve of Oyo residents to resist any attempts by the APC to impose further hardships, proclaiming their commitment to maintaining good governance and freedom from APC's "misrule."
The PDP concluded with a call for an end to the suffering caused by the APC and a hopeful plea for divine intervention, asserting that the people are unified in their demand for change and relief from the political upheaval they have faced.