Elder Wole Oyelese, a founding member and elder statesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, has appealed to party members to remain steadfast and united amid reports of defections and internal discontent within the party.
Speaking in a statement on Tuesday, Elder Oyelese acknowledged that the PDP in Oyo State was facing a challenging period but insisted that the difficulties were not insurmountable. He described the ongoing situation as a passing phase that requires patience, understanding, and renewed commitment to the ideals that bind members together.
“Don’t abandon the house we contributed to building,” he said. “Politics goes through seasons of trials and renewal. What we are facing today is not unprecedented — it is a phase that will surely pass. It is always darkest before the glorious dawn.”
The former minister noted that many of the grievances within the party stemmed from the outcome of recent congresses, which some members believed lacked fairness and inclusiveness. He assured aggrieved members that their concerns could still be addressed through dialogue and genuine reconciliation.
“Grievances are inevitable, and the issues of leaders feeling relegated or unrecognised can still be corrected,” Oyelese stated.
He urged loyal members not to quit the party because of temporary challenges, stressing that collective effort was essential to rebuild trust and restore internal harmony.
“It’s not good to abandon the house because of a leaking roof. When challenges arise, we rebuild, remodel, and reinforce. We have laboured to build this house together; we must not allow internal cracks to destroy it,” he added.
Elder Oyelese also called on Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, to take decisive steps toward healing divisions within the party, describing the current situation as “a defining test of leadership.”
“Where there are grievances, the Governor should quickly move in and address the issues to make every member of the party feel relevant and wanted,” he urged.
He warned that continued disaffection among stakeholders could weaken the PDP’s grassroots strength if not promptly resolved, emphasising that unity and inclusion were essential to sustain the party’s dominance in the state.
Reaffirming his faith in the PDP’s resilience, Oyelese expressed optimism that the party would overcome its present difficulties and emerge stronger.
“The PDP remains the only platform with the structure, experience, and grassroots appeal to secure the confidence of Oyo State people. Let us rebuild together. This moment too shall pass,” he concluded.
