I will articulate my plans at the right time —Governor speaks about 2007 presidential ambition
I will articulate my plans at the right time — Governor speaks about 2007 presidential ambition
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has refuted media reports suggesting he has officially declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2027.
Speaking to journalists in Ibadan, where he hosted members of the press covering the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat during a three-day retreat, Makinde emphasized that he will determine his own agenda.
He stated that he is capable of articulating his plans when the time is right, asserting that no one can dictate his political ambitions.
He said: “We didn’t do this because, somebody has a presidential ambition. No comment, nothing. But all I can say to you is, I’m old enough, if I want to do something, I will come out and say, this is what I want to do.
“So, no speculation, nobody can push my agenda. I will push my agenda when the time comes.
“So you as opinion molders, as people that will let the world know that this is where we’re going, one takeaway from this engagement is that Nigeria must not slide into a one-party state.
“It’s what I want you to take out from here. Reflect on it. Oyo people took a decision. In 2019 we did not have godfather. Nobody sponsored me. Nobody gave a dime for us to get in there. But the people of Oyo state decided that they want to give this opportunity to an outsider.
“Before that time, you people say Seyi, what has he done before? Has he been a counselor? No. Has he been to the State House of Assembly? No. Has he been to House of Reps? No. How about Senate? I tried twice. I was rejected.
“No experience in politics, No experience in governance, but I have done well for myself in business. And before that time, the entire Southwest was APC. The entire Southwest. All the six states. But Oyo State said, no, we dare to be different. And because I didn’t have no experience, I wanted to convince the people.
“So we produced a document, roadmap to accelerate development of Oyo State 2019 to 2023. And I said to the people, look, this is the black and white, hold me accountable to this. And they gave us the opportunity and just like my sister said, we saw it as a lifetime opportunity to change the narrative.
“In Nigeria, we have the talents, we have the intellects. …….Anyway, let’s not slide into a one-party state so that we can give others the opportunity so you can showcase what is possible in Nigeria.”
Makinde also discussed his efforts to revive numerous projects that had been abandoned or neglected by previous administrations. He noted that some federal road projects were initiated under his leadership, driven by a commitment to serve his constituents. He highlighted that many of these abandoned initiatives were originally conceived by past leaders who genuinely cared for the community’s welfare.
He said: “It’s just an opportunity to show you that a long time ago, thinkers passed through this place they did certain things and for us, we want to bring some of these things back and see how we can utilize it to make life a little better for our people.
“From what we know, you mentioned to me, I think you went to Iseyin, LAUTEC campus, the School of Agricultural, and College of Natural Resources. Well, this road that you passed to this place is a federal road built by Oyo state government. It took us two years to get the federal government approval. And the road is 34 kilometers. It’s a major link between one zone of the state, Oyo Zone, linking Okeogun Zone. We have five geopolitical zones in Oyo State. We have Ibadan Zone, we have Oyo Zone, Oke Ogun zone, Ibarapa zone, Ogbomoso zone.
“This is a major link between Oyo Zone, linking Okeogun Zone, and it is also passing through a major agro industrial zone. So, I said to them, we don’t care about whether it’s a federal road, it’s a state road, it’s a local government road, all we want is, we want to expand our economy and we also want our people to pass on a smooth road.
“Whether federal government will fix it or state government or local government, just fix the road. If you stand at the gate house there for maybe 15 minutes, at least you must count close to almost 15, 20 trucks carrying cassava all over the place.
“I will say if we want to be remembered, not for roads. We built the airport. We built the local government, or we constructed roads. We want to be remembered for the institutions that we’re trying to build such that good governance will be guaranteed in Oyo State, irrespective of who is coming in. And we are succeeding.
“Before we came in there was no Amotekun, now I am wearing Amotekun cap right now. On Monday, they will graduate the forest rangers so that bandits will never have any foothold in our state. Amotekun wasn’t in existence before we came.
“we also set up our own anti-corruption agency. We set up our rule of law enforcement authority.”
Politics
Economic Hardship; PDP Governors seek review of Federal Govt’s policies
Economic Hardship; PDP Governors seek review of Federal Govt’s policies
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has sought a review of the economic policies of the Federal Government, to ameliorate the current economic hardship in the country.
This was part of its 8-point communique issued at the end of its deliberations during its forum, held on Saturday in Jos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau hosted the governors with party executives and other stakeholders in attendance.
Malam Bala Mohammed, Chairman of the Forum and governor of Bauchi State, who read out the points, empathised with the masses over the current economic crunch.
Mohammed called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, find ways of cushioning the effects of its policies or have a review.
“The forum expresses empathy for Nigerians suffering from economic difficulties and calls for a review of Federal Government’s policies to improve citizens’ welfare,” he said.
Similarly, the party addressed issues confronting its unity and called for more collaboration among members.
“The forum has emphasised the need for unity within the party, addressing concerns about divisions among its members.
“It expresses a commitment to maintaining the party as a trusted platform for democratic governance.
“The forum’s discussions reflect a strong commitment to party unity and addressing internal divisions while also focusing on the broader socio-economic challenges facing Nigerians.
“The forum aims to position the PDP as a proactive and responsive political entity in Nigeria’s democratic landscape.
“The party is also making a clear call for action regarding electoral integrity and governance, emphasising the need for reforms to ensure fair representation and accountability
“The party acknowledged recent tragedies such as the demise of the First Lady of Akwai-Ibom, and also expressed gratitude for local hospitality reinforcing the party’s connection to the electorate.(NAN)
Politics
You’ve been contesting for President for 31 years, you need to step down – Bode George advises Atiku
You’ve been contesting for President for 31 years, you need to step down – Bode George advises Atiku
A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has advised Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, not to run in the next presidential race.
George, reflecting on Atiku’s unsuccessful attempts at the presidency since 1993, urged him to step aside and act as an elder statesman by leaving the presidential contest to others.
He urged Atiku who would be 81 by 2027, to end his 31-year-long bid to be President and assume the position of an elder for posterity sake.
George said this while addressing newsmen in Ikoyi, on Thursday, November 21.
He said: “My advice to Atiku is this, you will be 81 years old in 2027, and you have been contesting for presidency since 1993. This is the time for you to calm down and act like an elder. I appeal to you in the name of the Almighty Allah that you serve to take it easy and leave everything to posterity.”
Politics
Lagos Speaker, Obasa clears air on Governorship ambition to succeed Sanwo-Olu
Lagos Speaker, Obasa clears air on Governorship ambition to succeed Sanwo-Olu
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa on Thursday dispelled rumour making the rounds that he was desperate of becoming the next governor of the state.
Obasa made the declaration when the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu presented a budget of ₦3,005,935,198,401 for the 2025 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly.
The Speaker, in his remarks, noted that the budget was presented at a time of complaints by Nigerians about the economy, appealing to Nigerians to be hopeful as President Bola Tinubu’s administration works to ensure the nation’s economic recovery.
On speculation that the speaker was aspiring to be Governor in 2027, Obasa said, “I have not given a serious thought about becoming the next governor of the state”.
He stated that the major concern now is to strengthen the party in the state, saying that was why he continued to enjoin more people to support the party at all times, an act he noted to have been misconstrued by ‘political detractors’ to mean that he was chasing a governorship ambition.
He added, “I have made it a personal task to mobilise people on the platform of Mandate, which has been misconstrued by some political detractors as being a selfish aspiration on the ground for me to become governor of the state. There is the need, however, to correct this wrong impression. My concern is about building our party, and whatever we do is mainly for this cause.
“To the blackmailers who have embarked on the mission to distort and redefine our mission, let me state it unequivocally here, our intention is to promote our party on the platform of Mandate.’
Obasa said becoming governor is secondary to him, adding that “it is something that I have not given serious consideration. Nevertheless, that does not mean I am too young or lack experience to run; whereas, those who have been before me are not better off.”
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