Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State said on Wednesday that the resignation of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not affect the party’s stability or performance.
Makinde made the remarks in Akure while speaking with journalists at a colloquium held in honour of Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, the Deji of Akure, marking his 10th coronation anniversary.
“Atiku’s exit won’t make any dent on the PDP,” Makinde said. “The PDP is an institution. People are free to join or leave at any time.”
Atiku had earlier announced his departure from the PDP in Adamawa, sparking speculation over its potential impact on the party.
However, Makinde dismissed such concerns and also downplayed the threat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing it as just another party seeking electoral relevance.
During the event, which featured a lecture titled “The Role of Nigeria’s Traditional Institutions in Nation Building: Impediments, Impacts, and Prospects,” Makinde stressed the significance of traditional leadership in Nigeria’s development.
He described traditional rulers as “custodians of grassroots trust” and vital contributors to the country’s unity and stability long before modern governance structures existed.
“Traditional institutions are not relics,” Makinde stated.
“They are enduring pillars of identity, legitimacy, and cohesion. Ignoring them in nation-building efforts is a costly mistake.”
Highlighting efforts in Oyo State, the governor said his administration had successfully integrated traditional institutions into its governance system, yielding positive results.
“Nation-building is not about oil revenues, but about the strength of institutions and their service to the people,” he said.
In his remarks, Oba Aladelusi emphasised the critical role of traditional rulers in national development and called for constitutional reforms to formally recognise and empower them.
The monarch also praised the unity of Akure and expressed gratitude to the state government and citizens for their continued support of the palace.
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