Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, yesterday, in a remark aimed at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, declared that expelled elements he described as “vagabonds” no longer have control over the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
In the run-up to the general elections in 2023, Wike and Makinde were both part of the G5 governors, but they split up soon after the election.
Speaking yesterday during the Oyo PDP Secretariat’s commissioning in Oke Ado, Ibadan, Makinde claimed that the PDP’s “vagabonds” were ejected in November 2025 and blamed the party’s problems on a leadership void that developed after 2015, which he claimed allowed indiscipline to flourish.
The governor said: “In Yoruba land, we always say that if you see a house or a compound that is peaceful, the vagabond in that house has not grown up.
“The vagabonds in PDP; they grew up in 2015. They had their time and 10 years — a decade — they practised their ‘vagabondcy’ in the PDP. But they were expelled in November 2025, so no more vagabonds in PDP.
“So whatever it is that they are doing, you should be able to trace it back to their origin.
Due to a leadership void in 2015, the PDP lost its federal base; otherwise, those outlaws would never have been able to seize control of the party.
The governor claimed that although he had once supported the group, he had subsequently turned away.
“Let me confess, I came into government in 2019, and towards 2023, I was yoked with them, but now I’ve repented; I’m now born again,” he added.
Makinde accused anonymous actors of spreading lies about the party and stated that it would be unacceptable to enable the group to take over the party once more.
“But for them to hold PDP down for another party to be in power, it is a no-no. The leaders who were here to give us the goodwill messages kept hammering on something.
“They kept talking about the truth, the truth, and the truth. And what I will say are lies. They can continue peddling their lies for 20 years. But the day the truth comes out, that is the end of the lies,’’ Makinde said.
He stated that the numerous court issues involving the PDP would eventually be settled, but he also expressed faith in the courts to settle ongoing legal conflicts affecting the party.
He said further: “I have absolute trust in Nigeria’s judiciary. I know they will do the needful. So, all these court cases—they will all come together at some point. And the judiciary, being the last hope of the common man, will give justice to PDP.’’
The governor also admitted to previous political affiliations, which he called unfortunate, and said he has since made the decision not to do so again.
In honor of Alhaji Omokunmi Mustapha, the former state chairman who led the PDP back to power in Oyo State in 2019, he declared that the newly established secretariat would be called Mustapha House.
He said, “After the PDP was out of power at the federal level from 2015, it was in 2019 that a chairman led the party back to power in Oyo State. That chairman is Alhaji Mustapha. In recognition of this legacy, this building will be named Mustapha House.”
Makinde went on to say that he will formally provide the PDP National Chairman the property’s title deeds, who will then forward them to the party’s Board of Trustees.
“This document before me is the title deed to this property. I will be formally handing it over to the national chairman, who will, in turn, transmit it to the Board of Trustees, the body that holds the assets of the PDP in trust for the party.”
“My interest is not limited to Oyo State alone,” Makinde said, reaffirming his dedication to the party outside of Oyo State. I have a strong commitment to the PDP’s expansion, stability, and cohesion on a national as well as state level.
Earlier in his speech, Kamorudeen Ajisafe, the chairman of the PDP South-West, characterized the gathering as an expression of the party’s solidarity in the area.
Ajisafe said, “Today’s (yesterday’s) event stands as a clear demonstration that the South-West is united and firmly positioned within our great party.”
Speaking as well, Mr. Dayo Ogungbenro, the chairman of the Oyo PDP, acknowledged that he was first dubious about the project and stated that the secretariat’s completion demonstrated the party’s leadership potential and vision.
“When the idea of establishing this secretariat was first conceived, I was skeptical. At the time, I had just experienced an accident, and I questioned whether such an ambitious project was truly achievable, given the challenges the party had faced. I even wondered if we could only afford something as modest as providing lunch for members,” Ogungbenro said.
Makinde’s recent vow of commitment to the PDP was swiftly criticized by the camp of FCT Minister Mr. Nyesom Wike, who called it the late “repentance of a vagabond.”
In response to the governor’s promise not to suppress the PDP for the benefit of another party in 2027, Mr. Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, characterized the statement as a face-saving move motivated by political fear.
Olayinka described Makinde’s abrupt change in tone as an acknowledgement of his prior involvement in undermining the party’s objectives.
He said, “He (Makinde) admitted that he was a vagabond. He said he has now repented. So, he is first a vagabond who claimed to have repented; happy repentance to him from being a vagabond.”
The governor’s political consistency was also questioned by the minister’s adviser, who cautioned that the “repentance” might not last.
Using an old saying to support his argument, Olayinka implied that Makinde was still prone to the same “treachery” that characterized his earlier political moves.
“In my place, it is said that even when a madman is cured of his madness, there will still remain some traces of madness. Therefore, like he has been inconsistent politically, don’t be surprised tomorrow when he returns to being the same vagabond he claimed to have repented from,” he added.
According to Olayinka, the governor is currently uncomfortable with the way politics are changing and is trying to hide behind the party structure to escape potential consequences.
He said, “Truth is, we understand his fears and worries. We understand that he knows what is coming. But too bad, we can’t help him from being consumed by the fire of political treachery he ignited.”
Remember that earlier on Monday, Wike expressed interest in all PDP events in Oyo State.
Wike had pledged to defend the national party against people he referred to as internal “vampires” during his speech at his faction’s 105th National Executive Committee, or NEC, meeting in Abuja.
