PDP cannot restructure Nigeria if it cannot restructure itself – Makinde

Engr. Seyi Makinde, the Oyo State Governor has said that he would not accept the chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Governors Forum.

Makinde said the reason for not accepting the chairmanship of the party’s governor’s forum was because he and others are fighting for issues that are fundamental to the peace and unity of Nigeria.

Recall that the party’s governors from the South have been agitating for the ceding the party’s national chairmanship to the South following the emergence of former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate.

Makinde, who stated this in Aba, Abia State while commissioning the Nwaobasi ring and the Osaa Okea – Umuakatawom roads, explained that the PDP can’t restructure Nigeria if it is not ready to restructure itself.

“‪We are not fighting to have the chairmanship of the PDP’s governors’ forum. We are saying that if PDP has promised to restructure Nigeria, and we cannot restructure PDP then we are not restructuring Nigeria. That is the fact‬,” Mr Makinde said.

He emphasised that inclusivity has long been a major challenge for Nigeria’s political stakeholders, dating back to pre-independence conferences, and tasked the party to adopt alternative means, away from the present system, that ensures everyone’s involvement.

“There have been issues that are foundational. If you read the proceedings of the constitutional conferences that led to Nigeria’s independence, you know that there were issues then. And if since 1960, we have not been able to get things right, yes of course they may cite the military interruptions ‪because of their unitary command structure.

“But we’ve been practising democracy since 1999 and if we are not able to create a path that can lead to sustainable development, we should try something else,” Mr Makinde added.

The governor, who is also seeking reelection under the PDP, has pitched his tent with outgoing Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, as the party’s internal crisis thickens; with political analysts fearing that his decision might cost him his second term ambition.