“When People Go Into The Gutters, I Don’t Go With Them” – Seyi Makinde Speaks After PDP Meeting

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that some people are resorting to the gutters, but he doesn’t stoop to their level.

He, however, declared his readiness to reach out to those who are already going into the gutters.

Naija News reports that Governor Makinde made the declaration on Thursday while speaking to newsmen after the South-West zoning consultative summit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held in Lagos.

The Oyo State Governor added that there should be nothing personal about disagreeing with people because it is all about serving Nigerians.

He said, “Personally, when people go low or go into the gutters, I don’t go with them. Some people are now going into the gutters. We will reach out to them. That is democracy.

“I can disagree with people, but there shouldn’t be anything personal here. It should be about what we are giving to Nigerians because they are watching.”

PDP Can Reclaim Its Position

Speaking against the backdrop of Saturday’s bye-election, the Governor said the results confirm that the PDP remains a force to reckon with in the political space.

Makinde stated that if the PDP continue to work hard, it will reclaim the confidence of Nigerians.

“In all our states, they showed last Saturday that PDP is not dead. In most other places of the 12 states, PDP came second. It is an indication to us that if we continue to work hard, we can reclaim the confidence of Nigerians,” he said.

2027 Presidential Zoning

On the reports that the PDP has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the south, Makinde said no decision has been taken and the party was not yet at that stage.

He said the focus is currently on rebuilding the party.

“We haven’t even gotten there. We need to have a party first before you start talking about presidential candidates. If we don’t have a party, anything you are trying to do will fall flat.

“Our efforts right now are directed towards having a vibrant and united PDP that Nigerians will be proud of and believe in again,” he said.

Dignitaries who attended the meeting included the Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the party’s National Zoning Committee and Bayelsa state governor, Douye Diri; Governors Ademola Adeleke of Osun state, Peter Mba of Enugu State, represented by his deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai; former Osun Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Bode George; and Monsurat Sunmonu.

Others were 12 of the 17 PDP National Assembly members and key stakeholders of the party from across the southern states.