PDP Will Not Miss Atiku, Says Gov Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not miss the exit of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Makinde emphasised that it is better for anyone holding the PDP down to quit the party.

The Oyo State governor stated this while speaking with journalists after a colloquium marking the 10th anniversary of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi.

“Politics is a game of interest. I don’t think his exit will make any dent on the PDP as a party. PDP is an institution. We have freedom of entrance and exit. Anyone who holds PDP down, it is better for such an individual to quit,” he said.

Makinde, who was the keynote speaker at the colloquium, further stated that he did not see the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as an alternative to the PDP.

“I don’t see ADC as a threat to PDP. The goal is about the same. If you are not happy about the tempo and pace of governance, you are free to associate and see what can be done. But one thing we must all realise is that players will come and go, governors will come and go, presidents will come and go, but our state and country will remain,” the Oyo State governor said.

In his speech at the colloquium titled: “The Role of Nigeria’s Traditional Institutions in Nation Building: Impediments, Impacts, and Prospects,” Makinde advocated for constitutional roles for traditional rulers in the country.

He said if granted, it would further contribute meaningfully to the development of the community, state, and the country.

According to him, with constitutional roles, traditional rulers would be able to participate and contribute to the development of the nation.

Makinde said the role of traditional rulers has been misconstrued by citizens, as some see them as mere instruments of political endorsement while others imagine them as frail old men who have outlived their relevance.

“In my own public service journey, I have come to see that strengthening traditional institutions is not simply about cultural preservation — it is strategic governance.

“In Oyo State, we have taken deliberate steps to integrate our traditional institutions into the governance architecture.”

He emphasised that the Oyo State Government has institutionalised the role of traditional rulers in the State Security Council. “Our royal fathers are not bystanders. They serve as first responders, sources of local intelligence, and advocates for peace.

“We passed laws to remove ambiguity around succession and throne ascension. The outcome? Fewer legal battles, reduced communal tension, and enhanced legitimacy for our royal fathers.

“Most critically, we do not interfere. We trust the custodians of tradition to manage their own succession processes. This principle of non-interference has fostered dignity, autonomy, and internal cohesion.”

He added that the journey has not been without challenges, highlighting some impediments such as jurisdictional conflicts between traditional institutions and local government councils.

He added that lack of constitutional clarity leaves traditional rulers vulnerable to political goodwill rather than protected by a legal structure.

These, he said do still not diminish the value of traditional institutions but simply point to the need for thoughtful reform and a more coherent national policy.

Makinde noted that when respected and empowered, the traditional institutions deliver measurable impact by helping to resolve conflicts at the community level.

In Oyo State, we have institutionalised alternative dispute resolution mechanisms that work hand-in-hand with our traditional institutions.

Makinde stressed further that royal fathers were vital to community policing, saying that Amotekun Corps has seen significant success partly because of their support to mobilise their communities around the initiative.

“They encourage development ownership. Many of our tourism sites in Oyo State—such as Iyake Lake and Idere Hills—are community-run under the stewardship of traditional leaders.

“The relevance of traditional institutions must be recalibrated, not politicised, but purposefully integrated into our broader development systems.

Governor Makinde said a country as richly diverse as Nigeria does not need fewer institutions but “stronger, smarter partnerships — between the old and the new, between the traditional throne and the modern office, between the oba’s palace and the policies of the government.”

He concluded that true nation-building should not be measured about how much oil Nigeria produces but about the strength of the institutions, their ability to serve the people justly, and the legacy they leave behind.