‘We came on solidarity’ – Makinde on why Turaki-led PDP visited ADC leaders

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has explained why the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, visited leaders of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, after its Ocuppy INEC protest.

Makinde said his visit to the ADC’s factional leadership was to express solidarity amid the ongoing political developments.

The governor spoke to journalists after the meeting between ADC leaders and a factional PDP leadership that extended late into the night.

According to him, the visit was informed by recent events in the political space, including court actions and protests.

“We came here to visit the leadership of ADC, we are on a solidarity visit and we have seen what has been happening within the political space, the court and protest, so we came to show solidarity and to commit to a clean democratic space in our country,” he said.

The David Mark-led ADC faction and Turaki’s faction had converged at Mark’s residence in Apo, Abuja, for the strategic opposition gathering.

Among those present at the high-level meeting were former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, alongside former governors Rotimi Amaechi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Aminu Tambuwal, Peter Obi, and Babangida Aliyu.

Also present were former Information Minister Jerry Gana and PDP National Secretary Taofeek Arapaja.

The closed-door meeting came just hours after the ADC staged a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja, signaling rising political tension and coordinated opposition activity.