Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Thursday declared that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is not dead.

Makinde made the assurance while speaking with reporters after PDP’s Southwest zoning consultative summit in Lagos.

He maintained that PDP remains a formidable force despite its internal crisis.

The governor noted that, with hard work, PDP can reclaim power.

He also warned that he is not prepared to stoop low with anybody who opts to “go into the gutters.”

Makinde, however, pointed out that he reserves the right to disagree with anyone.

He said: “Personally, when people go low or go into the gutters, I don’t go with them. Some people are now going into the gutters. We will reach out to them.

“I can disagree with people, but there shouldn’t be anything personal here. That is democracy.

“In all our states, they showed last Saturday that PDP is not dead.

“In most other places of the 12 states, PDP came second. It is an indication to us that if we continue to work hard, we can reclaim the confidence of Nigerians.

“We haven’t even gotten there. We need to have a party first before you start talking about presidential candidates. If we don’t have a party, anything you are trying to do will fall flat.

“Our efforts right now are directed towards having a vibrant and united PDP that Nigerians will be proud of and believe in again.”