Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Tuesday declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled elements he described as “vagabonds,” insisting that they no longer control the party.
The governor spoke during the inauguration of the newly built PDP secretariat in Ibadan, emphasizing the party’s renewed focus on unity and lawful leadership.
Makinde’s remarks follow a protracted leadership tussle within the PDP, which escalated after a faction led by Makinde and Bala Mohammed, Bauchi State governor, convened a national convention in Ibadan in November 2025, electing a new set of national officers with Kabiru Turaki as chairman.
The convention faced legal hurdles, with conflicting rulings from federal high courts in Abuja initially halting the event over alleged breaches of the party constitution and electoral laws.
However, the Oyo State High Court cleared the PDP to proceed and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the exercise.
Opposing the Ibadan convention, a faction aligned with Nyesom Wike, Minister of the FCT, later formed a parallel National Working Committee (NWC), a Board of Trustees (BoT), and a National Executive Committee (NEC).
INEC, in December 2025, declined to recognise the Turaki-led NWC due to multiple conflicting court verdicts. Most recently, Justice Uche Agomoh rejected a bid by the Turaki-led PDP to compel INEC to recognise the convention.
During his address, Makinde criticised the dissenting faction, tracing their influence to the period after PDP lost power at the federal level in 2015.
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“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 vagabond 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 have been expelled in November 2025, so no more vagabonds in PDP,” he said.
Makinde acknowledged that he was previously aligned with the group but has since distanced himself.
“And 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 said.
The governor also addressed allegations of falsehoods being spread about the party, warning that attempts to dominate the PDP for political gain would not be tolerated.
“Our leaders kept hammering on something: the truth. And what I will say is, 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 stated.
On the ongoing legal disputes, Makinde expressed confidence in the judiciary, describing it as the “last hope of the common man.”
“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 will give justice to PDP,” he added.
Political analysts note that Makinde’s statement seeks to consolidate the Ibadan faction’s claim to leadership while sending a strong signal to dissenting elements within the party. Dr. Aisha Bello, a political strategist, said:
“Makinde is positioning his faction as the legitimate authority within PDP. By expelling what he calls ‘vagabonds’ and asserting control, he is sending a message that internal discipline and adherence to party constitution will define future leadership contests.”
Observers say the PDP remains embroiled in legal battles, but the Ibadan faction appears determined to enforce its decisions and maintain control over party structures nationwide.