Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo has said that the Peoples Democratic Party will do everything within its power to fix the party in order to remake Nigeria.
He spoke at the inauguration of the Board of Governors and unveiling of the Roadmap for the Peoples Democratic Institute on Thursday.
PDI is the research arm of the PDP established in 2000 to promote a new democratic culture in Nigeria and Africa through the provision of value-added education, training, capacity building, research, and documentation programmes.
Makinde, at the inauguration in Abuja, said that the PDP could fix Nigeria, adding: “We will fix PDP and then PDP will fix Nigeria, which will be the basis of real hope for the people of Nigeria.
“As we approach 2027, it is clear that the PDP has to provide real hope for Nigeria.
“By revitalising the PDI, real hope is being provided for our people.
“Our country needs direction.
“Nigerians are looking up to the PDP to provide an ideological foundation.”
Makinde said that with the inauguration of the board, PDP was moving a step closer to defining the ideology it stood for.
He advised politicians and leaders who were given the opportunity to serve to always ask themselves what they want to be remembered for.
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The Oyo State governor pledged his commitment to strengthening the country’s democracy and PDP.
Makinde added: “From 2019, I’ve been benefitting from PDP.
“So, I want to say thank you to our great party, and all the stakeholders gathered here today for giving me the opportunity to get not one, but two mandates, back to back, under this umbrella.
“The only thing I can promise you is that since I fetched water from that well, and I have been drinking since 1999, I will not pollute the well when it is time for me to exit that office.”
Makinde also urged PDP leaders, members and stakeholders to go into the November 16 Ondo State governorship election united and resist any attempt to truncate the election.
He said that the PDP needed true reconciliation and unity to wrestle power from the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State.
In his remarks, former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, emphasised the need to jointly build PDP, saying parties are built on ideas, philosophies and policies.
He urged PDP members to move away from building ideas on self or on ambition as Nigeria moves towards 2027.
Saraki said: “We cannot have an ambition if we don’t have a party.
“We cannot have a party if we don’t have ideas.
“This is where it starts from.
“This is the foundation that is important.
“Let us desist from talking about who is running for councilors, or who is running for governor, or who is running for president in 2027.
“Let us talk about: What is PDP?
“What does PDP represent?
“These are the issues and policies that we must take into account.”
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of PDI Board of Governors, Taofeek Arapaja, pledged the governing board members’ commitment to the mission and vision of PDI, and the guiding principles of the PDP.
Arapaja, who is the PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), commended the party leadership and Makinde’s efforts at revamping the PDI.
He said that the board would advance the principles of PDI to enrich Nigeria’s democracy.
He said: “As we embark on this journey, we pledge that we will live with innovations, transparency and inclusivity.
“We are passionate about equipping the next generation of leaders and ensuring that the PDI becomes a true engine of progressive thoughts, skills, building and intellectual discourse within our party and beyond.
“We envision a PDI that is not just a research institute, but a vibrant, inclusive hub for the youths, women and all party members.”
The Director General of PDI, Dr. Edward Adie, acknowledging the support of Makinde in revamping the institute, sought support from all in terms of funding and personnel among others.
Adie said that a research institute such as PDI was critical for party electoral success, funding substance of power and needed training for political leaders.
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