The governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has dismissed the exit of former presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He asserted that it is better for individuals holding the party down to quit, adding that everyone has free entrance and exit.

The Governor stated this in Akure, the Ondo state capital, during an interview with journalists at the 10th anniversary of the rulership of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi.

When asked to comment on Atiku’s exit from the party, the governor said,” Politics is a game of interest. I don’t think that will make any dent on PDP as a party.

”The Peoples Democratic Party is an institution. We have freedom of entrance and exit. Anyone that will hold PDP down, it is better for such a individual to quit.”

On whether the Africa Democratic Congress poses a threat to the Peoples Democratic Party, Makinde said,” I don’t see ADC as a threat to PDP.

” The goal is about the same. If you are not happy about the tempo and pace of governance, you are free to associate and see what can be done.

“But one thing we must all realize is that players will come and go, governors will come and go, president will come and go but our state and country will remain.”

In his lecture entitled “The Role of Nigeria’s Traditional Institutions in Nation Building: Impediments, Impacts, and Prospects, the governor advocated a constitutional role for traditional rulers.

Makinde said that his administration in Oyo state has taken deliberate steps to integrate traditional institutions into the governance architecture.

According to him, “In Oyo State, we have been having good collaboration with traditional institutions, and we have had great results from such collaborations.

” That is why we are pushing for a constitutional role for them so that they don’t keep floating. They can participate and contribute, and also we can hold them accountable.

“We institutionalised their role in the State Security Council. Our royal fathers are not bystanders. They serve as first responders, sources of local intelligence, and advocates for peace.”