Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has announced that individuals he referred to as “vagabonds,” who once held sway within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have been removed from the party.
Makinde made the declaration on Tuesday while inaugurating the Oyo State PDP secretariat in Ibadan, stating that the party has now overcome internal instability.
Using a Yoruba proverb to describe the situation within the PDP, the governor remarked, “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.”
He explained that the individuals gained prominence within the party after the PDP lost control of the federal government in 2015, a development he said resulted in a leadership vacuum.
“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 said.
According to the governor, the group dominated the party’s affairs for almost ten years before being pushed 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 expelled in November 2025. So, there is no more vagabond in PDP,” he stated.
Makinde also made it clear that neither he nor the state government is involved in the party’s internal legal battles or national leadership matters.
“Finally, the government has no interest in PDP lawyer states and no interest in PDP nationally,” he said.
Looking back on his political experience, the governor acknowledged that he was once associated with the group but has since cut ties.
“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 emphasized that he would oppose any move by the group to continue controlling the party.
“For them to hold PDP for another two years, no, no, no,” he added.
He concluded by suggesting that the group’s relevance is declining, describing them as “wearing rags, dancing around at midnight,” and predicting that they would soon fade away.
