Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has described the current state of Nigerian politics as unprecedented, saying even the most experienced political actors in the country have never witnessed anything like it.
The governor made the observation on Tuesday, March 10, while addressing the expanded meeting of the PDP Board of Trustees in Abuja, a day after Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal dumped the party for the APC.
Lawal’s exit left Makinde and Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed as the only two governors still flying the PDP flag, a far cry from the party’s days of commanding a majority of state houses across the country.
Rather than dwell on the numbers, however, Makinde chose to focus on the broader political picture, expressing concern about what the current landscape says about democracy in Nigeria.
“I have been talking to people of knowledge, people who have been involved in the political evolution of this country, and none of them have seen a political landscape like what we are witnessing today,” he said.
“It’s a challenging period for us as leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party. It is also a challenging period for democracy in Nigeria,” he added.
While acknowledging the difficult moment, Makinde made it clear that the shrinking numbers have not shaken his resolve.
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“I can only say we are only two remaining, but we are not bothered,” he said.
The governor called on party leaders to think carefully about the choices they make during this period, noting that their actions will ultimately be judged by history.
“So, whatever role we want to play as individuals and collectively as a party, we must be conscious of what history is going to record against or for us for this period,” he said.
Despite the mounting challenges, Makinde remained optimistic that the tide would eventually turn in the party’s favour.
“Weeping may endure for the night, but in the morning, joy cometh,” he added.
His words carry particular weight at a time when the PDP is battling not just the loss of prominent members but also legal setbacks and deep internal fractures.
Whether the party can find its footing before the 2027 elections remains an open question, but Makinde appears determined to stay the course regardless of what lies ahead.