Amid a wave of defections ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Oyo North Senatorial District have thrown their weight behind Governor Seyi Makinde , dismissing the recent exit of some prominent members as inconsequential and politically motivated.

In a communiqué released after a strategic meeting held in Ibadan and made available to journalists on Monday, the party’s zonal executive members declared their unwavering loyalty to Makinde, stressing that the PDP remains strong, united, and firmly in control of the political landscape in Oyo State.

The meeting, presided over by the Oyo North PDP Senatorial Chairman and former lawmaker, Yinusa Yusuff, passed a unanimous vote of confidence in the governor, describing him as a “visionary leader whose developmental strides and inclusive governance have continued to endear the PDP to the people of the state.”

“The defection of a few individuals will not shake the foundation of our great party,” the communiqué stated. “We reaffirm our total commitment to the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, and the PDP structure in Oyo State.”

The statement specifically downplayed the departure of Senator Ayoola Agboola, a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the only PDP senator from the South-West between 2011 and 2015, describing his defection as “a desperate attempt to stay politically relevant.”

According to the party leaders, Agboola’s decision to abandon the PDP was not born out of principle but personal ambition. “His exit is simply the continuation of a self-centered political journey,” the communiqué read. “Most of those leaving with him neither contributed meaningfully to our electoral victories nor represent the true spirit of the PDP.”

The Oyo North PDP also accused the former senator of being responsible for past internal divisions within the party, particularly in Oke-Ogun, where he was alleged to have imposed local government chairmen and party executives during his tenure as commissioner.

“The people of Oyo North are politically conscious and will not be swayed by politicians who place personal ambition above collective progress,” the communiqué added. “Governor Makinde’s administration has brought visible transformation to the zone—through infrastructure, education, and empowerment—and that progress cannot be reversed by a few disenchanted individuals.”

Party insiders believe the statement is part of a broader effort by the Oyo PDP to project internal stability and rally the base as the political temperature rises ahead of the 2027 polls. The reaffirmation of support for Makinde is also seen as a warning to defectors and rival parties hoping to exploit the current political realignments in the state.