The political atmosphere in Osun State has taken a more confrontational turn as members of the Peoples Democratic Party caucus in the House of Representatives have issued a stern warning to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, asking him to stay off internal political matters within Osun State.
This development comes amid a widening crisis in the Osun chapter of the party, where concerns about alleged interference, factional influence, and attempted dominance have been steadily growing.
The caucus, made up of elected federal lawmakers who represent various constituencies across Osun State, released the warning following what they described as increasing attempts by Governor Makinde to insert himself into Osun politics.
They insisted that his involvement has escalated tensions and contributed to internal divisions that have weakened the party’s cohesion in recent months.
The lawmakers expressed their frustration that repeated appeals for restraint had been ignored, forcing them to make a public statement to protect the integrity of political processes in their state.
According to the lawmakers, the crisis in the Osun PDP did not originate from within the state itself but from external pressure and influence that they claim undermines the leadership structure already in place.
They argued that the PDP in Osun has its own political identity and operational mechanisms that do not require supervision or interference from neighboring states.
They insisted that the future of the party in Osun must be decided strictly by stakeholders within the state who understand its context, challenges, and political dynamics.
The caucus stressed that they recognize the need for inter state collaboration within the broader PDP structure, but said such collaboration must operate within boundaries that respect autonomy.
They accused Governor Makinde of breaching this understanding by allegedly attempting to influence decisions, impose preferred individuals, and tilt the balance of power in ways that serve interests outside Osun State.
The lawmakers claimed that such actions have destabilized the state chapter of the party, created avoidable hostility, and weakened its preparations for upcoming electoral engagements.
In their statement, the legislators said they have always supported a strong and united South West PDP capable of competing effectively against rival political blocs.
However, they emphasised that unity cannot be achieved through intimidation or dominance by individuals who believe they have the privilege or authority to dictate political direction in other states.
They argued that genuine unity is built on mutual respect, consultation, and a willingness to allow local leaders to run their affairs based on the realities within their communities.
The caucus further accused Makinde of attempting to capitalise on internal disagreements to strengthen his own political influence in the region.
According to them, his involvement has made conflicts harder to resolve because stakeholders who would normally negotiate compromises have been pressured into picking sides.
They stated that the pattern of external intrusion has emboldened some factions within the state to adopt hardened positions, thereby making reconciliation increasingly difficult.
They also stated that the governor’s alleged involvement has disrupted party activities and threatened the party’s chances of maintaining relevance in future elections.
They warned that unless such interference stops immediately, the Osun PDP may be forced into taking defensive political measures that could reshape alliances and commitments within the party’s broader framework.
The caucus reiterated that their priority is to rebuild party structures, consolidate unity, and prepare for electoral contests without distractions from outsiders.
The lawmakers called on the national leadership of the party to intervene urgently in the matter.
They said the continued silence of the national executive has allowed tensions to rise and encouraged individuals to act with impunity.
They urged the leadership to establish clear rules on inter state political conduct and to discourage attempts by any political figure to extend power beyond their state of jurisdiction.
They reminded the national leadership that the PDP’s internal stability must be safeguarded if it intends to compete effectively against the ruling party in national and state elections.
They warned that instability in one state can undermine the national image of the party and weaken its appeal among undecided voters.
They argued that leaving the Osun chapter of the party to operate freely without external influences is the only way to protect its internal democracy and to strengthen its electoral relevance.
Local party chieftains within Osun have expressed support for the lawmakers’ position.
Many of them claim that the present turmoil could have been avoided if party leaders outside the state had exercised greater restraint.
They noted that Osun PDP has a long history of managing internal disputes and producing compromise solutions without needing intervention from neighbouring states.
Some elders within the party said they are deeply concerned about the direction of the crisis.
They fear that prolonged conflict could affect political appointments, disrupt the party’s grassroots mobilisation strategy, and erode public confidence.
They appealed to the national leadership to engage with all parties involved and encourage constructive dialogue rather than deepening hostilities.
Party analysts observing the situation said that the confrontation between the Osun PDP caucus and Governor Makinde reflects long standing tensions within the South West PDP.
They noted that political influence in the region has been a point of contention for years, with different leaders seeking to shape regional power structures.
The latest dispute is seen as another chapter in an ongoing struggle for dominance and direction among key political players.
Some analysts argue that Governor Makinde’s influence has grown sharply in recent years and that his political status has made him central to regional decision making.
However, they note that his rising prominence has also created friction with other leaders who believe that his involvement often exceeds acceptable boundaries.
They said the Osun caucus pushback may embolden other states within the region to assert their autonomy more strongly.
Supporters of Governor Makinde have dismissed the lawmakers’ claims.
They argue that the Oyo State governor has always acted in the interest of strengthening the PDP in the South West.
They claimed that his engagement with Osun PDP matters has been aimed at resolving internal issues that could weaken the party’s performance in future elections.
They insisted that he has no intention of controlling political affairs in any state outside his own.
They said his only motivation is to ensure that the party remains united, organised, and prepared for future political contests.
They also argued that his critics may be opposing him for personal reasons or political self interest rather than genuine concern about party unity.
Despite these counter arguments, the Osun caucus maintains that Governor Makinde must immediately withdraw from all internal political engagements in Osun State.
They warned that failure to do so will deepen the crisis and provoke political responses that could reshape alliances within the region.
They insisted that Osun PDP leaders must be allowed to resolve their issues without external pressure or interference.
They ended their warning by stating that the political future of Osun cannot be negotiated or influenced by actors from other states.
They affirmed that only Osun stakeholders have the right to determine the party’s structure, leadership, and political direction.
They called on all supporters of the party to remain calm as efforts continue to stabilise the situation.
Political observers say the developments will shape the coming weeks as more actors may respond publicly to the caucus statement.
Some believe this confrontation could trigger a wider realignment within the South West PDP and influence national politics ahead of future elections.
For now, the party awaits the next steps from both the Osun caucus and Governor Makinde as internal tension continues to escalate.
