By Ayomide Otitoju
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has announced the expulsion of a group he described as “vagabonds” who previously exerted influence within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Makinde made the declaration on Tuesday during the unveiling of the Oyo State PDP secretariat in Ibadan, saying the party is now free from internal disruption.
Using a Yoruba proverb, the governor explained the rise and fall of the group: “In Yoruba land, we always say that if you see a house or a compound that is peaceful, the vagabond in that house has not grown up.”
According to Makinde, the group gained prominence after the PDP lost power at the federal level in 2015, taking advantage of a leadership vacuum. “They grew up in 2015, they had their time, and for 10 years, a decade, they practised their vagabondry in the PDP. But they were expelled in November 2025. So, there is no more vagabond in PDP,” he said.
The governor also distanced himself and his administration from the party’s ongoing legal disputes and national leadership issues. “The government has no interest in PDP lawyer states and no interest in PDP nationally,” he said.
Reflecting on his political journey, Makinde admitted that he was previously aligned with the group but has since withdrawn support. “Let me confess. I came into government in 2019, and towards 2023, I was yoked with them. But now, I’ve repented,” he said.
He added that he would not support any attempts by the group to retain control of the party: “For them to hold PDP for another two years, no, no, no.”
Makinde concluded by suggesting the group’s influence was waning, describing them as “wearing rags, dancing around at midnight,” and predicted that they would soon disperse.
