Some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State have rejected the presidential bid of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, backing President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.
The leaders under the auspices of Concerned Ekiti PDP members and supporters also threw their weight behind the party’s governorship candidate, Dr Wole Oluyede, over his decision to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The PDP leaders, in a statement on Tuesday signed by Bayo Lawal, said Oluyede’s position was his legitimate political choice, stressing that no individual or faction within the PDP had the right to dictate who he should support ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
They urged Governor Makinde to disregard claims by some political actors that they controlled the Ekiti PDP structure or could deliver the party’s members to the Allied Peoples Movement, insisting that such individuals did not speak for the majority of PDP members in the state.
‘Governor Makinde should not be deceived by political actors making claims they cannot substantiate. They do not own PDP membership in Ekiti.
‘Oluyede’s decision to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election is his legitimate political choice and should not be interpreted as abandoning the PDP. His position is also consistent with the position of recognised PDP stakeholders at the national level supporting the President.
‘The PDP belongs to its members, not to any faction or individual. Those claiming to control the party should prove their grassroots strength rather than rely on press statements.
‘Oluyede has earned the right to make his political decision. He has sacrificed for the PDP, contested under its platform and spent his personal resources to keep the party alive. Those who disagree with him are free to express their disagreement, but they cannot dictate to him who he should support,’ the group stated.
The group cautioned Senator Duro Faseyi and former Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker, Tunji Odeyemi against claiming the control of the PDP structure in Ekiti, saying the party belonged to all its members.
It alleged that some established interests were uncomfortable with Oluyede’s growing influence among younger members and grassroots supporters, challenging those claiming stronger support to demonstrate it through genuine engagement with party members across the state.
It also challenged the Odeyemi to account for resources allegedly received during the governorship poll, asking him to disclose what was received and how the funds were utilised.
The group further called for an honest assessment of the PDP’s performance in the governorship election, including the role allegedly played by former Governor Ayodele Fayose, whom it accused of supporting the All Progressives Congress during the poll.
It said the issue was not Fayose’s current position on Tinubu, noting that both Fayose and Oluyede had publicly expressed support for the President’s re-election, but rather his alleged conduct during the Ekiti governorship election.
The group urged the PDP National Working Committee to protect members who had made genuine sacrifices for growth of the party and promote a new generation of leadership.