Gov Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki have appealed to chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to settle their differences and prevent individual presidential ambitions from fracturing the party.

The appeal was made during the official inauguration of the Board of Governors and the unveiling of the roadmap for the Peoples Democratic Institute at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

The event served as a platform for party leaders to address the increasing concerns surrounding internal divisions that threaten the PDP’s cohesion.

Makinde and Saraki’s plea comes amid reports that the presidential ambitions of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Bauchi Governor, Bala Mohammed, and Governor Makinde himself could exacerbate existing rifts within the party, potentially derailing the ongoing reconciliation efforts led by the Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led committee.

In recent months, the PDP has been split into factions, with loyalties divided between Atiku and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Tensions have further intensified after Governor Mohammed, who also chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, expressed interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking at the event, Saraki emphasized that the PDP, once regarded as the party of the masses, had endured significant challenges and should not be jeopardized by individual political aspirations.

Saraki said, “The party was built on ideas, philosophies, and policies. Let us move away from building ideas on personal ambition. We cannot have an ambition if we don’t have a party. We cannot have a party if we don’t have ideas. This is where it starts. This is the foundation.

“Let us stop talking about who is running for councillor, governor, or president in 2027. Let us focus on what the PDP represents. What are the issues and policies that we must address? This is what Nigerians want to know. That is why I support this institute. I hope others will too, because this is the foundation”.