Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said that the resignation of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not have any adverse effect on the party.

Makinde made the statement on Wednesday while speaking with journalists in Akure.

He was in the Ondo State capital as the keynote speaker at a colloquium marking the 10th coronation anniversary of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi.

Former Vice President Atiku had earlier on Wednesday announced his resignation from the PDP in Adamawa State.

“I don’t think that will make any dent on the PDP as a party. PDP is an institution, and people have the freedom to join or leave at will,” Makinde said.

The governor also dismissed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a political party without significant influence, noting that it poses no threat to the PDP.

According to him, “ADC is merely another platform contesting elections alongside PDP. It is not a threat.”

Earlier in his keynote address titled “The Role of Nigeria’s Traditional Institutions in Nation Building: Impediments, Impacts, and Prospects,” Makinde underscored the vital role traditional institutions play in national development.

He described traditional rulers not as relics of the past but as enduring pillars of identity, legitimacy, and community cohesion.

“Long before Nigeria’s formal administrative systems emerged, traditional rulers dispensed justice, upheld cultural values, ensured local security, and kept communities united,” he said.

“Today, they remain custodians of grassroots trust. Any attempt at nation-building that ignores them does so at its own peril. It is no surprise that politicians still seek their blessings and validation,” he added.

Governor Makinde called for constitutional recognition of traditional institutions, emphasizing that their inclusion in governance structures would enhance development outcomes.

He noted that his administration in Oyo State had successfully integrated traditional institutions into the state’s governance framework, yielding positive results.

“Nation-building is not about how much oil a country produces, but about the strength of its institutions, their ability to serve the people justly, and the legacy they leave behind,” he concluded.

In his remarks, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, expressed appreciation to Governor Makinde for his participation in the event. He affirmed the significant role traditional institutions play in national development and called for their inclusion in the Nigerian Constitution.

The monarch described Akure as a united city and lauded the support received from the state government and indigenes of the town towards the progress of the Deji’s Palace.