Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday declared that he would not stoop to personal attacks or undignified exchanges with political opponents, saying, “I’m not ready to go into the gutters with anyone.”

Governor Makinde made the statement while addressing journalists shortly after the South-West Zoning Consultative Summit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was held in Lagos.

While responding to questions on intra-party disputes and tensions surrounding leadership decisions within the PDP, Makinde emphasized the importance of maintaining civility and focus on developmental politics. “We must rise above petty squabbles and work for the unity and progress of our party and our people,” he said.

The South-West zoning summit was convened to deliberate on the distribution of party positions ahead of the PDP’s national convention and to foster cohesion within the region.

Governor Makinde, a prominent voice in the PDP and a key figure in the region’s political landscape, has often positioned himself as an advocate for issue-based politics. His remarks on Thursday suggest a continued commitment to that principle despite increasing political pressure and internal disagreements.

The zoning summit concluded with leaders reiterating their commitment to internal democracy and regional unity as the party prepares for the 2026 general elections.