On a calm Abuja afternoon, with the weight of political storms swirling around him, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde leaned into his microphone and made it clear: “Whoever is trying to stop a moving train is probably also trying to commit suicide.”

That vivid metaphor, delivered just after he inaugurated the PDP National Convention Transportation Subcommittee, might as well be a rallying cry. Because right now, the People’s Democratic Party is at one of its more fraught crossroads—defections, internal disagreements, court motions—and Makinde is positioning himself (and Oyo State) firmly on the side that says: the show must go on.

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Defections and Disquiet

In recent months, the PDP has lost several high-profile figures to alliances and rival parties. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, and media titan Dele Momodu have publicly aligned with the African Democratic Congress coalition. At the same time, some governors and other party heavyweights are being wooed by the ruling All Progressives Congress.

On top of that, grievances from Nyesom Wike’s camp over zoning and leadership structure have bubbled up, with threats of seeking legal injunctions to derail the upcoming convention. A court in Abuja, however, refused to grant any interim orders stopping PDP from proceeding.

Into this environment steps Makinde—charged with logistics and optics as the Chairman of the Transportation Subcommittee—and determined to anchor the narrative that PDP is not folding.

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Makinde’s Message: Steadfastness Over Spectacle

In his address, Makinde was at once firm yet gentle:

“The train has moved… no matter how highly placed, … we don’t want to see anyone dead. So please, don’t commit suicide.”

He reminded critics and defectors that the party must survive beyond personalities. “We don’t want to wake up and say somebody has defected… this is a moment when new, authentic heroes will emerge—not only for our party but for our country.”

Makinde took pains to downplay the defections, telling party members not to despair and stressing that the ultimate verdict belongs to Nigerians. “We’ve been a government in power… we’ve faced the challenges,” he said, framing the current turbulence as but another test in the life of a democratic party.

And when probed about his 2027 ambitions, Makinde politely sidestepped. His priority now? Deliver a flawless, historic PDP National Convention in Ibadan.

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Why It Matters—Beyond PDP Internal Drama

1. Symbolism & Momentum. A peaceful, well-run convention could become a morale booster—a demonstration that PDP is still capable of unity and vision, even under pressure.
2. Key Decisions on Leadership & Direction. The leaders chosen in this convention will likely shape PDP’s posture toward the 2027 elections: alliances, manifestos, regional balance.
3. Signal to Defectors & Fence-Sitters. Speed, confidence, and visible organizational capacity may persuade those wavering to stay—or at least not defect too early.
4. Public Perception. In democracy, optics matter. A fractious, delayed, or violent convention would hand political ammunition to critics.

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A Glimpse Ahead

As the November 15–16 Ibadan date approaches, all eyes will be on transportation, security, delegate accreditation, and whether all zones are fairly represented.

If Makinde’s conviction holds, and PDP pulls off the convention, his own reputation as a stabilizer could be strengthened. But if even a single derailment occurs—be it legal, logistical, or violent—that “train” metaphor might suddenly look all too dangerous.

PDP watchers will be watching not just who leads next, but who stayed—and who walked away.

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¹ Makinde’s warning comes as reported by Punch, that disrupting convention is akin to political suicide.
² Punch also documents major defections to ADC and APC in recent weeks.
³ The Cable reports that the court denied an application to prevent PDP from holding the convention.
⁴ In Guardian, Makinde insisted PDP remains firm and that Nigerians hold the ultimate verdict.