A speech Delivered by His Excellency, Seyi Makinde, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, at the Inauguration of the PDP Southwest, UK Chapter on July 20, 2019.

Ladies and Gentlemen, permit me to stand on the existing protocol.

I bring you greetings from our fatherland, Nigeria and our Motherland, the Southwest Region and the great people of Oyo State.
We have gathered here today to witness the inauguration of the PDP Southwest, UK Chapter. I cannot help but acknowledge how strategic this move is. It goes without saying that with the increasing number of Nigerians operating out of Nigeria, having a PDP Southwest Chapter here in the UK is a great way to remain tied to the politics of our dear country.

Interest groups have had a long history in politics. The first interest groups were said to have been formed right here in the UK in the 18th Century. Those groups played a huge role in the revolution that birthed America. Since then, political interest groups have continued to be an excellent instrument for civic engagement. Political interest groups have led campaigns, engaged in activities that increase voter participation and acted as advocates for various causes.

At this time in our nation’s history, we need more authentic and focused political interest groups. But, some might ask why the UK. And I ask, why not? Some of the latest statistics show that there are about 200,000 Nigerians in the UK. To put things in perspective, this is more people than voted for the PDP or the APC in the Ekiti State elections. If the PDP had 20,000 more votes in Ekiti State, that is one-tenth of the total number of Nigerians in the UK; we would have won the elections in that state.

Politics is a game of numbers; it is a game of influence. Technology has made it possible that we get news at the click of a button. News reports move us to take action in a fraction of the time it usually takes to reach decisions. When people get fake news, it influences their perceptions and decisions. The PDP cannot afford to be pliant in the face of these realities.
It is time for business unusual. “Bi a ba fi odun meta pilese-e were, ojo wo la o bunije.” The battle of 2023 has already begun. This is no time for endless preparations. If we spend three years preparing for madness, when will we start biting? It is time for action. I must reiterate that setting up the PDP Southwest, UK Chapter is a great start.

I am also aware that this is just a start. People are influenced by what they hear, but they are moved by what they see. Like the Head of Service in Oyo State, Mrs Ololade Agboola was moved to acknowledge, and I quote her “the unprecedented” turnout of students for placement examination into JSS1, and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). It was unprecedented because one of the first things I did as Governor was to cancel all fees that kept our children out of school. Four hundred thousand out-of-school children have an opportunity to get an education because we removed the N3,000 barrier and ended examination levies.

Our great party was only able to capture one state in the entire Southwest in the last elections. We cannot allow this situation to repeat itself in the next elections. With impactful actions that affect the four areas of economy, education, health and security, we can show that we are different.

It is never too early to start planning for the future. I am aware of the enormity of the responsibility that rests on me. The searchlight is beamed upon me, and all my actions are being met with the strictest scrutiny. But as our people say “Ogun agbotele ki i pa aro”. A long foreseen war does not kill a disabled person. I have taken advantage of this foreknowledge.
In the past month, I have focused on two things to set Oyo State on the path to greatness: Ensuring that we put the right policies and processes in place, and working with ideas that will help increase internally generated revenue (IGR) in the state.

I know that it is the seeming controversial that will be given more attention. My open declaration of my assets is generating furore in certain quarters, but these are unnecessary distractions, my focus and the focus of our administration is on good governance. We shall not be distracted.

Let me use this opportunity to share some updates with you. The security of the people of Oyo State continues to remain paramount to me. Although the constitution of Nigeria does not give me absolute powers to act as the Chief Security Officer of my state, I am using every resource at my disposal to protect the life and property of everybody that finds themselves within the borders of Oyo State.
I am working with the military, police and other security personnel in this regard. Just a few days ago, I met with Oyo State Joint Security Task Force (Operation Burst) and reiterated our administration’s commitment to support the task force to carry out its duties effectively. I also met with Nigeria Customs Area Controller Oyo/Osun Command.

We discussed partnerships between our administration and security agencies to secure our state and its borders.

I am fully aware that without security, there can be no meaningful development. And we need development in Southwest Nigeria and especially in Oyo State. You may be aware of the state of affairs of the Oyo State Treasury. We have at the end of every month, less than One Billion Naira to run the state after payment of salaries and pensions.  This is certainly not sustainable nor can it bring about the development that Oyo State sorely needs. Therefore I remain committed to pushing initiatives that will promote business in Oyo State.

For example, I visited the state-owned Pace Setter Quarry & Asphalt Plant at Moniya-Iseyin Road and assessed it. We will revive the plant because this means jobs and jobs mean business.  I also met with the Group MD/CEO of Odu’a Investment Company Ltd, Mr Adewale Raji. Oyo State is a shareholder in this company so its success is our concern. We want more business in Oyo State. Let me use this opportunity to invite you to come and invest in Oyo State. And if you have suggestions that will lead to the improvement of the life of Oyo State people, you can rest assured you have my ears.

The PDP has one job and one job only:  regroup, refocus, re-strategise. Creating Chapters, everywhere in the world where Nigerians are found, shows our commitment to this job. I believe Nigerians have had the opportunity to see clearly which party really means business.

I have one request to make of you: never stop talking about the good things we are doing. When good things are not given prominence, the consensus is that only bad things are happening. We cannot allow evil narratives about the PDP or its stakeholders to gain any type of momentum. It is our jobs as worthy ambassadors to shut down such narratives, quickly and definitively.

We either go big - bigger, than any contrary talks - or we will be going home. I am sure; we do not want to go home. There is, therefore, only one thing to do. As the great Methodist, John Bunyan, puts it, “He that is down needs fear no fall.” Our great party may be down today, but the only direction to go from now on is upwards, forwards. May we all work together to make this vision our collective responsibility.

Long Live The Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Long live Oyo State.
Long live our great party, the PDP.
Long live the PDP Southwest UK Chapter.