The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West has applauded Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for what it described as his decisive leadership in rescuing the party from “aggressors” attempting to destabilise it.

The commendation was issued in Ado Ekiti on Sunday by the PDP South-West Zonal Publicity Secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati.

According to Atofarati, the successful conduct of the party’s National Convention in Ibadan has restored public confidence in the PDP and rekindled hope for “genuine democratic leadership” ahead of the 2027 elections.

He praised the newly elected National Executive Committee (NEC) members, noting that with their emergence, the party can now “focus without unnecessary distractions” and begin mobilising nationwide support.

Atofarati described Makinde as “the biblical Moses of the PDP,” adding that the governor’s collaborative efforts with other leaders had prevented the party from “total collapse” and given it “a new lease of life.”

He also commended PDP governors for standing firmly with the party, as well as the government and people of Oyo State for ensuring a peaceful and orderly convention.

At Saturday’s Ibadan convention, former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki, emerged as the new national chairman, alongside other elected national officers.

Governors present included Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau).

In August, the PDP NEC zoned the 2027 presidential ticket to the South and the national chairmanship to the North, in line with the party’s rotation principle. North-West stakeholders later endorsed Turaki as their consensus candidate after a series of meetings in October.

The convention went ahead despite earlier divisions within the party, particularly between Makinde and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, which had resulted in court battles over whether the gathering would hold.