Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has reiterated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains a strong and formidable political force in Nigeria despite recent challenges.

Makinde stated this on Thursday while addressing journalists after the South-West Zoning Consultative Summit of the PDP, held in Lagos.

He stressed that he would not be drawn into personal attacks or political squabbles.

“Personally, when people go low or go into the gutters, I don’t go with them. Some people are now going into the gutters. We will reach out to them. That is democracy. I can disagree with people, but there shouldn’t be anything personal. It should be about what we are giving to Nigerians because they are watching,” he said.

Highlighting the outcome of recent elections, Makinde noted that PDP’s performance showed its resilience.

“In all our states, they showed last Saturday that PDP is not dead. In most of the 12 states, PDP came second. It is an indication to us that if we continue to work hard, we can reclaim the confidence of Nigerians,” the governor said.

On the issue of zoning the presidential ticket to the South, Makinde explained that the party’s focus was currently on strengthening its unity.

“We haven’t even gotten there. We need to have a party first before you start talking about presidential candidates. If we don’t have a party, anything you are trying to do will fall flat. Our efforts right now are directed towards having a vibrant and united PDP that Nigerians will be proud of and believe in again,” he stated.

Dignitaries at the meeting included the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara; Chairman of the party’s National Zoning Committee and Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri; Governors Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and Peter Mbah of Enugu (represented by his deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai); former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Chief Bode George; and Monsurat Sunmonu.

Also in attendance were 12 of the 17 PDP National Assembly members from the region, alongside other key stakeholders from across the southern states.