Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has declared that those he described as “vagabonds” who once held sway in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) no longer have influence within the party, insisting that their expulsion has restored order and discipline to the ranks.
Makinde made the remarks on Tuesday during the commissioning of the new Oyo PDP Secretariat at Oke Ado, Ibadan, in an apparent response to recent criticisms from Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Both Makinde and Wike were members of the G5 group of PDP governors who opposed the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections but have since gone their separate ways.
The governor said internal indiscipline and poor leadership after 2015 created space for “vagabonds” to dominate the party for a decade until their expulsion in November 2025.
“In Yoruba land, we say that if a compound is peaceful, it’s because the vagabond there hasn’t grown up,” Makinde stated.
“The vagabonds in the PDP grew up in 2015 and had their time for 10 years. But they were expelled in November 2025. So, no more vagabonds in the PDP.”
Makinde said he had previously associated with the group but had since “repented.”
“I came into government in 2019, and towards 2023, I was yoked with them. But now, I’ve repented — I’m born again,” he said.
He further asserted that those expelled from the PDP were spreading lies to weaken the party, adding that their efforts would fail.
“For them to hold the PDP down so another party can thrive is unacceptable. They can peddle their lies for 20 years, but the day truth emerges, that’s the end of the lies,” Makinde added.
The governor also expressed confidence that the judiciary would resolve all ongoing PDP legal disputes fairly.
“I have absolute trust in Nigeria’s judiciary. The judiciary, being the last hope of the common man, will do justice to the PDP,” he said.
Makinde named the new party secretariat “Mustapha House” in honour of Alhaji Omokunmi Mustapha, the former state chairman credited with leading the PDP back to power in Oyo State in 2019.
“After PDP lost power in 2015, it was under Chairman Mustapha that we returned to power in 2019. This building is named after him in recognition of that achievement,” he said.
He then handed over the property’s title deeds to the PDP National Chairman to be transferred to the party’s Board of Trustees.
“My interest is not limited to Oyo State alone. I am deeply committed to the growth, stability, and unity of the PDP nationally,” Makinde affirmed.
Earlier, PDP South-West Chairman, Kamorudeen Ajisafe, said the commissioning reflected the unity and renewed strength of the party in the region, while Oyo PDP Chairman, Dayo Ogungbenro, praised the governor’s leadership and commitment.
Wike’s Camp Hits Back: “Makinde Is a Repentant Vagabond”
Reacting swiftly, the camp of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike dismissed Makinde’s remarks as “the late repentance of a vagabond.”
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications to Wike, mocked the governor’s statement, saying Makinde had admitted to being part of the same group he now condemns.
“He admitted he was a vagabond and now claims to have repented. So, happy repentance to him from being a vagabond,” Olayinka quipped.
He accused the Oyo governor of inconsistency, suggesting his newfound loyalty to the PDP was politically motivated.
“In my place, it is said that even when a madman is cured, some traces of madness remain. Don’t be surprised if he returns to being the same vagabond he claims to have repented from,” Olayinka added.
He alleged that Makinde’s shift in tone reflected growing political anxiety ahead of 2027.
“We understand his fears. He knows what’s coming, but no one can save him from the fire of political treachery he helped ignite,” Olayinka said.
Wike had earlier declared his continued interest in PDP affairs in Oyo State while speaking at a factional National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, vowing to defend the party from what he called internal “vampires.”
