2027: Avoid Pitfalls Of 2018–Akeem Olatunji Warns As Oluyole PDP Leaders Bar Political Grouping for Governorship Aspirants

As political momentum continues to gather ahead of 2027, leaders and key political stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Oluyole local government have resolved to remain united and formidable behind Governor Seyi Makinde’s decision in his choice for who succeeds him.

The executive chairman of Oluyole local government, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, however warned against PDP following the same political route as the then ruling party in 2018 when political gladiators worked against their leader and the party as such could spell danger for the party come 2027.

This was as the PDP leaders in Oluyole unanimously issued a firm directive prohibiting any political groupings among its members for any potential governorship aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The meeting, which held yesterday at the office of the executive chairman of Oluyole local government, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, at Idi-Ayunre, was well attended by all major PDP leaders and stakeholders in the council area.

Engr. Olatunji, who led the charge, delivered a stern warning to members about the risks of political disaffection and division capable of causing factions within the party and subsequently jeopardize the success recorded so far in Oluyole PDP.

Olatunji urged all party leaders, stakeholders, and members to prioritize party loyalty and adherence to directives over individual political ambitions, stressing that collaboration remains an essential tool for electoral success.

“What we’re saying is that we don’t want any form of political groupings anywhere in Oluyole, we have an unwavering and unalloyed confidence and trust in our performing Governor to who has displayed nothing short of exceptional, visionary, and pragmatic leadership.

“We’re not saying governorship aspirants should not have coordinators in Oluyole but we don’t want any political groups for any governorship aspirant. Wherever Governorship Seyi Makinde directs us to go is where we will go without second guessing and this is because the governor has demonstrated beyond doubt, what it takes to earn anybody’s trust and confidence.

“Our governor is core democrat, what we also want is continuityand of entrenched good governance therefore, since he’s our overall leader, Oluyole only awaits to hear from the governor to know what direction to go so that we can continue to enjoy these dividends of democracy.

“So, I appeal to you as leaders and stakeholders of our great party in Oluyole to shun involvement in any grouping for governorship aspirants, we don’t want division in Oluyole PDP and anyone found flouting these directives can not be my friend or associate because you can not claim to be my friend and a political disciple of Governor Seyi Makinde and engage yourself in anything contrary to what the overall leader says.

“You’re free to engage in political grouping for all other elective office aspirants including senator, house of reps, state assembly but with a clear exception of governorship ticket, we will no longer condone it here in Oluyole. Governor Makinde has spoken clearly and in due time, he will give us the direction to go.

“We have three senators, 14 house of representatives, and 32 state assembly tickets. If the governor in his capacity as our overall leader is interested in who will succeed him and sustain his legacies, I do not think that’s too much to ask except our loyalty was only to the tune of the benefits we get from his government. Therefore, let this message get to every nooks and crannies of Oluyole.

“You’ll all recall that it was something that caused the downfall of the ruling party in 2019 prior to the governorship election, and that’s the fact that political players in their party disagreed with their leader who was the then governor, and at the end of the day, many of those who were leaders at the forefront of such rebellion are now on political cue elsewhere. It is better we fight ourselves being in government than as an opposition party, we can’t even afford to get carried away by needless distractions because the people of Oyo state may not forgive us.” Olatunji said.

In their separate reactions, leaders and stakeholders emphasized the importance of presenting a cohesive front to voters, stressing that the achievements of the Seyi Makinde led PDP administration should be the cornerstone for all to align with.

Some of the PDP leaders who spoke include a two term House of Representatives member, Honorable Depo Oyedokun, former Commissioner; Engr. Ayuba Balogun, and lawmaker representing Oluyole state constituency at the 10th Oyo state Assembly, Honorable Waheed Akintayo, Alhaji Saka Adebayo, and Alhaji Fatai Ogunrin.

According to Hon. Akintayo, the take home for all leaders, stakeholders, and members of PDP in Oluyole local government was that no political grouping is allowed for any governorship aspirants until governor Seyi Makinde makes a statement on where to go and who to follow.

In his brief remark, one of the leaders, Alhaji Fatai Ogunrin suggested serious sanctions for whoever goes against the unanimous directive of the party in Oluyole for an end to any political grouping for any governorship aspirant. He argued that such would serve as a deterrent for those attempting to undermine the power and authority of the party.

Also present at the meeting were the Vice Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Hon. Adeniyi Akorede, immediate past Executive Chairman of the Council, Hon. Olaide Settle, former Executive Chairman of Oluyole LG, Hon Kehinde Abore, former House of Assembly Member, Hon Luku Salau, Oluyole LG PDP Chairman, Alhaji Mukaila Adegbola, all the PDP Local Government Executives and Ward Chairmen, all the 10 elected Councilors and appointed Special Assistants and Supervisory Councilors.

Others were the Special Assistant to the Governor on Oluyole Federal Constituency, Hon. Olumide Akinlade, Leader of Oluyole legislative House; Hon. Taofeek Azeez, Secretary of Oluyole LG, Hon. Tunde Adeniran, Hon Azeez Babalola, Arc. Salam Azeez, former Special Adviser to the Governor, PMS State Treasurer, Comrade Idowu Owo Geesi, Engr Shola Shofowora, Hon Nasiru Hamzat, Elder Shola Abogunloko, Baba Saka Ishola, Major Kayode (rtd.), Hon. Kazeem Wahab Lazkaz, Baba DG Olanrewaju , Baba Agoro and other critical Stakeholders of the party.