•Says Oyo opted to be different in 2019
•’I have no godfather, lost two Senate bids’
•Warns against one-party state
By John Alechenu
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared that he is qualified and old enough to speak for himself on any issue without mincing words.
Makinde was reacting to speculations that he was plotting to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
According to him, speculations about his political future were unsolicited.
He warned Nigerians of the dangers inherent in allowing Nigeria to slide into a one-party state.
The governor, who spoke to reporters in Fashola Farm, Oyo, yesterday, explained that he would do so publicly if he had anything to say about his political future.
He said, “ We didn’t do this (host PDP reporters’ retreat) because somebody has 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.”
Makinde recalled that with the support of the people of Oyo, he defied the odds, including two failed Senate attempts, before he was elected governor.
The governor said, “Oyo State people took a decision in 2019. We did not have a godfather. Nobody sponsored me, nobody gave me a dime for us to get in here but the people of Oyo State decided, we want to give this opportunity to an outsider.
“And before that, you will see videos saying that, ‘Oh, Seyi, what has he done before? Has he been a councillor? No. Has he been to the House of Representatives? No. What about the Senate?’ I tried twice but was rejected.
“So, experience in politics – no experience in governance, but I’ve done well for myself in business and they said ‘we’ll give you the opportunity’ and before that time, the whole of the South West was APC, all six states.
“But in Oyo State, we chose to be different. Because I had no experience, I wanted to convince the people.
“We produced a document, ‘Road Map to Accelerated Development of Oyo State, 2019-2023’, and I said to the people, ‘This is it in black and white, hold me accountable,, and they gave us the opportunity. Thank God it is being done. “
Makinde also cautioned Nigerians against allowing the nation to slide into a one-party state.
He said, “Nigeria must not slide into the one-party state so that others will have the opportunity to showcase their talents.”
Makinde reiterated his commitment to re-enacting the development strides recorded by great leaders who, with their innovative approach to governance, put the South West on the global map.
He recalled that farm settlements such as Fashola Farms were conceptualized and made
functional in the 1950s by Chief Obafemi Awolowo with cattle breeds and other livestock.
Revenue generated from the proceeds of cocoa, he said, was used to build Cocoa House which was the first skyscraper at the time.
He said, “If you go to Tel Aviv in Israel,. you will see the first one they built and many more have followed.”
Speaking on the legacy he desires to leave behind, Makinde said he would like to be remembered for building institutions that will guarantee good governance irrespective of whoever occupies the office of governor.
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