Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said that the exit of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not cause any setback for the party.
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Makinde made this known on Wednesday while speaking to journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital, shortly after delivering a keynote address at a colloquium organised to mark the 10th coronation anniversary of Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, the Deji of Akure.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Atiku resigned his membership of the PDP in Adamawa on Wednesday.
Reacting, Makinde said, “I don’t think that will make any dent on PDP as a party. PDP is an institution and you have freedom of entrance and exit.”
The governor also dismissed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a threat to the PDP, describing it as just another political party contesting elections.
Speaking on the theme of the lecture, “The Role of Nigeria’s Traditional Institutions in Nation Building: Impediments, Impacts, and Prospects,” Makinde emphasised the relevance of traditional institutions in contemporary governance.
According to him, “Traditional institutions are not relics of the past, but rather enduring pillars of identity, legitimacy, and communal cohesion.”
He noted that before Nigeria’s modern administrative structures emerged, traditional rulers played critical roles in justice administration, value preservation, security coordination, and community unity.
“Today, they remain custodians of grassroots trust. And nation-building that ignores them does so at its peril. No wonder politicians continue to seek their blessings and validation,” he said.
Makinde further argued that empowering traditional institutions should not be seen as merely cultural preservation, but as a form of strategic governance.
He said his administration in Oyo State had deliberately integrated traditional institutions into its governance structure, with impressive results.
“For us, nation-building is not about how much oil we produce, but about the strength of our institutions, their ability to serve the people justly, and the legacy they leave behind,” he added.
In his remarks, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo, appreciated the governor’s position and reiterated the importance of traditional rulers in national development.
He also called for constitutional backing to strengthen traditional institutions, adding that Akure remains united and supportive of the palace.
