Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that individuals he described as “vagabonds” who once exerted influence within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been expelled, insisting that internal disruption in the party has come to an end.
Makinde made the remarks on Tuesday during the unveiling of the Oyo State PDP secretariat in Ibadan, in what appeared to be a response to comments by former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
A day earlier, Wike, speaking at the PDP’s 105th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, had vowed to protect the party from what he described as internal “vampires” and expressed interest in the affairs of the PDP in Oyo State.
Addressing party members in Ibadan, Makinde said the PDP had successfully rid itself of elements responsible for persistent crises within its ranks.
“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 governor said.
He traced the emergence of the group to the period after the PDP lost power at the federal level in 2015, noting that a leadership vacuum at the time enabled them to gain prominence.
“In 2015, PDP lost power at the federal level. There was a gap in the leadership. Otherwise, those vagabonds would never have been able to take hold of PDP,” Makinde stated.
According to him, the group dominated the party for nearly a decade before being forced out.
“They grew up in 2015, they had their time, and for 10 years, a decade, they practised their vagabondry in the PDP. But they have been expelled in November 2025. So, there is no more vagabond in PDP,” he said.
Makinde also distanced the Oyo State government from the party’s internal legal disputes and national leadership struggles.
“Finally, the government has no interest in PDP lawyer states and no interest in PDP nationally,” he said.
Reflecting on his past political alignment, the governor admitted that he had previously worked with the group.
“Let me confess. I came into government in 2019, and towards 2023, I was yoked with them. But now, I’ve repented,” he said.
Makinde vowed to resist any attempt by the group to retain control of the party, insisting their influence was waning.
“For them to hold PDP for another two years, no, no, no,” he said, adding, “They are wearing rags, dancing around at midnight, and they will soon scatter.”
Elijah Adeyemi
