Oyo State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, has said that some “vagabonds” who previously wielded so much influence in the Peoples Democratic Party ((PDP) have been expelled in order to allow the party breathe and function as expected.
This was as he reflected on his political journey so far, and admitted that he was previously aligned with the group, stressing however, that he has since withdrawn his support.
Makinde said; “Let me confess. I came into government in 2019, and towards 2023, I was yoked with them. But now, I’ve repented”.
The Oyo State governor vowed that he would not support any attempt by the group to retain control of the PDP, stressing that for the same group to hold the PDP for another two years, is a complete no, no, no.
Governor Makinde, who stated these on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at the unveiling of the Oyo State PDP secretariat in Ibadan, noted that the party is now free of internal disruption and unnecessary acrimony.
The Governor who referenced a Yoruba proverb to explain recent developments within the PDP, said that in Yoruba land, there is a saying that “if you see a house or a compound that is peaceful, the vagabond in that house has not grown up”.
Makinde, noted that the group rose to prominence within the PDP after it lost power at the federal level in 2015, a period he said created a leadership vacuum.
In the words of Makinde; “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.
“The group dominated the party for nearly a decade before being removed from its affairs. 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 particularly distanced both himself and the government from the party’s internal legal disputes and national leadership issues.
The Oyo State Governor emphasised that the group’s influence was fading, saying; “as wearing rags, dancing around at midnight,” they would soon disperse.
