Prominent Oyo State political figure, Alhaji Adebisi Olopoeyan, has spoken about his political decisions, particularly his reasons for not participating in the recently held South West PDP zonal Congress that took place in Ibadan.
He attributed this to not being a member of the party as he is yet to officially rejoin the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since his resignation from the NNPP.
As Nigeria gradually gears up for the 2027 elections, Olopoeyan’s silence has triggered rumors of potential alliances with other parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
However, while he foreclosed any chance of rejoining the NNPP, Alhaji Olopoeyan disclosed that his chances of joining the APC remains very slim stressing that the opposition party does not have an internal mechanisms to enable politicians from other parties who joined them to be properly integrated and assimilated, choosing instead, to remain without a party in the meantime.
His reaction comes amid growing speculation about his next political move ahead of the 2027 general elections and the ongoing political permutations across party lines.
Alhaji Olopoeyan, who was instrumental to the 2019 the electoral victory of the PDP in dislodging the then ruling APC in the state disclosed that he is still waiting for the leadership of the PDP to decide on when to receive him and his followers.
In an exclusive interview with westernmirror.com.ng on Monday, May 5 at his Bashorun private residence in Ibadan, the influential grassroots mobilizer and former PDP stalwart explained that his decision to remain outside the PDP fold is rooted in principles, not personal ambition or grudges.
He maintained that his relationship with governor Seyi Makinde remains cordial while applauding his administration over its commitment and dedication to the welfare of the people of the state.
He assured that once all arrangements for his defection back into the ruling party were concluded, it would be made known to the public.
“I have not joined the PDP because the party has not communicated when they want to receive me and my followers back into the party, nothing more. You can see that I was not part of their last South West zonal Congress
“I am a politician who values structure, orderliness, and fairness. And as such, we are waiting for them to communicate to us when they want to receive us back into the PDP.
Speaking on possible alliance with politicians and political parties ahead of 2027, Alhaji Olopoeyan stated that there’s a difference between personal relationship and party affiliation. He maintained that as much as he maintains good relationship with politicians across different parties, party loyalty and interest supersedes personal relationships going into any future elections.
“When I left NNPP, it was PDP that came to me, APC didn’t approach me. And if you recalled, it was from PDP that I joined NNPP so, I don’t think anybody would query my return to the party I built myself.
“In politics, there’s a difference between personal friendship and party affiliation. Even when Adelabu came to me before the 2023 election, he was in Accord party while I was in NNPP. Also, when we first started our relationship, Penkele was in APC while I was in PDP. So, there’s always the difference between personal relationship and political affiliation regardless of anybody who may want to seek my support ahead of 2027,” He added.
Alhaji Olopoeyan, who played a pivotal role in the PDP’s 2019 victory in Oyo State before falling out with key party leaders, particularly Governor Seyi Makinde, emphasized that his political ideology remains aligned with transformative development and grassroots inclusion which the present administration of PDP represents.
“There is no enmity or acrimony between me and Governor Makinde, we’ve always been together even before the political difference but we have since resolved it. Now, my relationship with the governor is not just cordial, it is also robust.
“That doesn’t mean however, that if I see something wrong to comment about I would be silent, people know me well that I’m a free spirited person who freely expresses his views on state and national issues at any time necessary.
“As a matter of fact, it is the cordiality between us that is evident in what many people now termed as my ‘silence’ so, we’re in very good term,” Alhaji Olopoeyan revealed.