•As unity, greater membership drive top highlights of meeting
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo North Senatorial District has restated its belief in the leadership of Governor 'Seyi Makinde, which according to the party, has brought unprecedented developments to the state.
Leaders, stakeholders and members of the party drawn from across the 13 Local Governments in Ogbomoso and Oke Ogun Zones, passed a vote of confidence in the governor during a senatorial meeting held at the Lagbami Osekun Hall, Ogbomoso South Local Government, Arowomole, Ogbomoso, on Wednesday.
The party, which reaffirmed its loyalty and support for the governor and his leadership of the party in the state and the South-West, acknowledged the tremendous achievements of the governor in the areas of infrastructure development, education, health, security and economic expansion.
Highlights of the meeting, which was attended by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdulraheem Adebayo Lawal; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, among other government functionaries, included a commitment by the Oyo North PDP to unite all members and intensify efforts on membership drive preparatory to the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at the well-attended meeting, the Oyo State Deputy Governor maintained that the PDP remains a strong and well-established party in the state and in Nigeria, noting, however, that the party would continue to address grievances and appease the aggrieved members to work in one purpose for the progress of the party.
He charged members to continue to showcase the massive achievements of the Governor Makinde-led administration across all sectors.
He equally pledged to continue to work harder towards reconciling all interests, noting that he is ready to continue to support the party across the four Federal Constituencies and at the Oyo North Senatorial District levels.
Barr. Lawal also appreciated the Ogbomoso South Local Government for hosting the meeting.
Similarly, notable leaders of the party in the senatorial district, including a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi, Dr Saka Balogun, Chief Jacob Adetoro and Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha, all spoke on the imperative of having a stronger and more united PDP in the senatorial district, urging members to bury all hatchets and work together for the party's continued success.
The duo of Gbadamosi and Balogun equally appreciated Governor Makinde for standing by them towards becoming a member of the PDP BoT and Balogun of Ogbomosoland respectively.
Speaking earlier, chairmen of the PDP across the 13 Local Governments of the Oyo North Senatorial District gave reports about the state of the party in their respective councils, while the senatorial chairman, Hon. Yinusa Adekunle Yusuff, also told the house some of the progresses made by the Oyo North PDP.
Yusuff, who also gave an update on the Oyo State PDP, said the party under the chairmanship of Mr Dayo Ogungbenro, has put in place efforts to reconcile party members across the state and to also ensure more discipline.
Representatives of the Local Government chairmen, Hon. Rasaq Fadiran and that of the PDP House of Assembly members, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin, all lauded Governor Makinde for his leadership, promising to continue to heed the call of the party at their respective LG, Federal Constituency and Senatorial levels with a view to making the party stronger ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In his vote of thanks, the Chief of Staff to Governor Makinde, Otunba Ogunwuyi hailed Governor Makinde for guiding the party in the right direction, while he also appreciated all leaders and stakeholders, noting that the crowd of party members that attended the meeting showed that it was more of a movement than a meeting.
The meeting was attended by notable PDP leaders, including a former Commissioner for Finance, Chief Bayo Bankole; former PDP state chairman, Chief Michael Adegbite; Chief Isaac Koleoso; former Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Barr. Adeniyi Farinto; former Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Rasaq Gbadegesin (Agbeti); Pa Adesina Okunade; Hon. Ezekiel Oyedepo; Hon. Lanre Agoro; among others.
Members of the House of Assembly, who attended the meeting were as follows; Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin (Ogbomoso South); Hon. Dele Adeola (Iseyin/Itesiwaju); Hon. Saminu Gbadamosi (Saki East/Atisbo); Hon. Olubisi Oluranti (Ogbomoso North); Hon. Ogundele Johnson Akintola (Oriire) and Hon. Anthony Ogunsola (Iwajowa).
The meeting was also attended by appointees of Governor Makinde from the senatorial district, including commissioners, Special Advisers, Executive Assistants, Special Assistants and chairmen and members of various Boards.
Chairmen of Local Governments in the senatorial district were also in attendance.