PDP: THE CREATION OF A MOST FORMIDABLE POLITICAL ARCHITECTURE ,ARISING FROM GOVERNOR MAKINDE’S HISTORIC GOVERNANCE By Alabi Caleb Olatunji

The fourth Republic has witnessed ascension to the throne of chief Executives in Oyo State , successive governors who reigned under different political platforms , beginning from 1999 when late Dr Lam Andesine came in following military exit led by Rtd. Gen Abubakar Abdulsalami’s from power

Under the banner of Alliance For democracy (AD) , Lam Adesina , a human rights activist had governed the state for just 4 years before PDP , which controlled the federal government defeated the AD from South western states leaving only Lagos State, the only survival of the hurricane . Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja had won the election under PDP platform, no little thanks to the influence of the late strongman of Ibadan politics, Alhaji Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu

The PDP government witnessed lots of political upheavals resulting in impeachment of Ladoja and later restoration through the courts of competent jurisdiction and eventual succession by another PDP governor of Late Alao Akala , whose reign was tagged “ ATM “
The various conspiracy prevented Akala from surviving the attempt at second term as he was defeated by Late Senator Abiola Ajimobi , returining the party tagged “ *progressives* ” to power and the re-election changed the course of history of just single term as Ajimobi was re-elected for another term , making him the first governor that ruled for eight years .

Though Ajimobi won the election under the banner of A CN,the political re-alignment that birthed APC saw him winning re-election under the banner of All progressives Congress of Nigeria (APC) , the same year the party dislodged PDP from the federal reign, and till 2019, Oyo State was under the reign of the APC .

The political artistry and untiring efforts paved way for Governor Seyi Makinde in 2019 and the baton of leadership was returned to the PDP in a most amazing manner, to a period of spectacular governance and unprecedented positive transformations of all spheres in history.

Without unnecessary indulging in any form of eulogy, Governor Makinde has emerged the BEST governor that ruled in Oyo State comparatively, even to the era of David Jembewon of the military era, ascribed with so much infrastructural development in the old Oyo State.
Governing Oyo State under the banner of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has greatly changed the political equation in Oyo State, placing PDP at vantage position of a more strengthened political party. Reducing the strength of the opposition to the crucibles with brilliant performances, spread across all sectors .

In historically courageous style similar to world class leaders of note in history, GSM has taken infrastructural transformation to the doorsteps of towns and villages, convincing the mass of people about his capacity and invariably strengthening his political empire.
No doubt, GSM has set the PDP political template burgeoning with life and energy, and on the other hand suffocating the opposition and snuffing life out of lies and concoctions that would have been spewed by the opposition. He has roundly defeated the designs and capacity of the APC as the opposition; all these possible with monumental achievements trailing the daily existence of the PDP led administration in Oyo State.

While the previous APC administration under Late governor Abiola Ajimobi failed to conduct the LG election for several years of the 8 year period in the saddle, GSM had on the other hand successfully conducted two different elections organized by OYSIEC in Oyo State , the last just concluded election , applauded from far and near, though not without spurious and unfounded allegations from limited quarters .

It was the conduct of the just concluded election that further exposed the crucibles that the opposition in Oyo State are , it was the avenue to see crystal clearly that Oyo State opposition as of now is in tattering position , where the centre cannot hold . The APC despite the assurances from OYSIEC and the truthfulness of Governor Makinde , not to meddle in the conduct of the election , APC reclused into their shells , failed to campaign for various Chairmanship and councillorship candidates of the party .

The stark reality was the opposition in Oyo State have been asphyxiated and electrocuted unconsciously by the unprecedented achievements of Governor Seyi Makinde , the visible infrastructure that adorn every place sent shivers down the opposition so much that they became afraid to come out and campaign ahead of the just concluded LG election for their political parties, the major being Accord and the APC. It was even so realistic for some mother political parties, who surreptitiously shifted their support for the Governor Seyi Makinde’s PDP .

GSM,a strategist of note was able to identify first from obscurity,the enormous potential of grassroots political qualities in Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke ,who has served diligently the party,consolidating on the famous Achievements of Governor Makinde to strengthen the party to the unimpeachable formidable status .

Since his emergence as the state party Secretary,PDP has waxed stronger from strength to strengh ,decimating the opposition.

Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke has brought fore his wealth of experience,dedication and proven integrity to make the party grow in leaps ,in every department, subduing crisis on occasions that could have affected the unity of the party. Today PDP is the most formidable party with much influx of more than 70% meaningful politicians ,managing the large size with the managerial skills and inherent leadership ability that attest the confidence of Governor Makinde in him.

Similarly, other positions of the party are being occupied by capable men playing roles ,consolidating the Achievements of Governor ,that have thrust up the party to it’s very acceptable standard.

The issue thereafter raised by the opposition that the LG electoral victory in favour of PDP candidates is therefore laughable and very unrealistic of the opposition, who should have come out plain and frank that Engineer Seyi makinde has eventually transformed into a political institution, that cannot be toyed with, not only in Oyo State , but the entire southwestern states of the federation cum Nigeria as a whole .
He has become a standard for performance as being alluded from far and near and this has eventually moulded an empire and fortress of PDP in Oyo State, and without unnecessary indulgence in eulogy , PDP in Oyo State has emerged a party to beat in our nearest future , in fact the political pundits who are projecting that Governor Makinde has erected the foundation to determine who his successor will be , should be decides to get interest on how takes over the baton , may not be easily discountenanced .
Like it happened in 2019 and 2023, where numerous candidates that flagged under the banner of PDP secured victory through the image and influence of Engineer Seyi Makinde’s personality, 2027 may not after be different as GSM han continued unabated to assume higher electoral value with applaud able projects and achievements , writing his name in gold in the hearts of millions of Oyo populace .

The recently commissioned 76.67 Kilometers Road by His Excellency ,President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ,constructed by GSM ,that linked Iseyin to Fapote -Ogbomoso and other Oke Ogun zones just added to nearing 300 Kilometers Road constructed round the various zones in Oyo State, never witnessed in the annals of history by previous administration . Just the road revolution in similar characteristics of unprecedented achievements in Health, Infrastructure, Education, Workers Welfare and all other sectors of governance , where significant impact have been made .
Similarly other areas and spheres, which have witnessed historical achievements, are enough testimony to corroborate the reality of PDP formidable status in Oyo State, away from the unfounded imposture of the opposition after the deserved loss at the just concluded election.

It is thus an incontestable fact that the beam light has gradually navigated in the direction of Governor Makinde as that face of new leadership for Yorubas’ , where he has earned accolades for special priority for Yoruba’s interest , even in the unexpected trying moments , putting to risk the consequences of such action . Seyi Makinde demonstrated the patriotic disposition to Yoruba Agenda and has continued to extend his fortress to other South western states, not particularly for the purpose of pursuit to power, but just an exhibition of his true self, advocating the best for his people in national politics, to encumber more and better democratic dividends. A conviction of Makinde deep understands ding of contemporary politic dwelling on the promotion of welfare of his people.

Over time, internal democracy thrived in PDP and the influx of credible politicians from the opposing camps are enough conviction that PDP has come to dominate Oyo politics for years to come as the goodwill of Governor Makinde’s enigmatic leadership will magnetize and remain the power in the PDP nucleus as more and more achievements continue to star Oyo voters in their face.

Alabi Caleb Olatunji is an Author, publisher of note and public opinion Analyst ,based in Egbeda LG Area of Oyo State