The South-West chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been thrown into renewed internal conflict following remarks by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, about Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
In a swift response, the faction of the party in the region loyal to Governor Makinde publicly declared its support for him, while reaffirming allegiance to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by Aminu Tambuwal.
Speaking at the party’s zonal headquarters, Adagunodo House in Ibadan, the South-West PDP Publicity Secretary, Sanya Atofarati, said the Zonal Executive Committee stands firmly behind Makinde, describing his leadership as stable, focused, and people-oriented. He added that the party remains committed to providing a credible alternative to Nigerians amid prevailing economic and security challenges.
“The South-West Zonal Executive Committee unequivocally identifies with and stands firmly behind Governor Seyi Makinde, whose leadership continues to exemplify stability, focus, and commitment to the welfare of the people,” Atofarati said.
The Makinde-aligned faction also dismissed reports of an alleged impeachment plot against the governor, describing them as baseless and a calculated attempt to heighten political tension in the state.
It further criticised Fayose’s comments, labelling them “reckless and divisive,” and warning against actions capable of inciting discord, particularly through the politicisation of traditional institutions. The group maintained that Fayose remains expelled from the party and should refrain from actions that could strain relations between the Makinde administration and the Olubadan Palace.
However, in a dramatic twist, the South-West PDP faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, distanced itself from the Ibadan press conference, describing it as illegitimate.
In a statement issued by its Zonal Publicity Secretary, Akinloye Oyeniyi, the faction dismissed the gathering as the work of impostors with no mandate to speak for the party.
Oyeniyi insisted that no authorised zonal officials were present in Ibadan at the time, noting that the Zonal Chairman, Deji Doherty, was in Abuja attending the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
“The claim of an Ibadan press conference is a barefaced lie,” Oyeniyi said, adding that those behind it were “destabilising elements” whose actions have failed.
The development underscores deepening divisions within the PDP in the South-West, as rival factions continue to battle for legitimacy and control ahead of future political contests.
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