Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and the newly-sworn in governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke are not the best of friends. And this is despite the fact that they both belong to the same political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
That all is not well between the two was confirmed when the former stylishly excused himself from the latter’s inauguration ceremony two Sundays ago. Makinde was represented at the event by his deputy, Bayo Lawal.
Top echelons of the PDP, including its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu were present at the inauguration, as Adeleke was sworn in as the 6th civilian governor of Osun State.
Also at the event were the former governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja; former governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Udom Emmanuel, Governor of Akwa Ibom, Douye Diri of Bayelsa State and Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State who is also the vice-presidential candidate of the PDP; former governors of Kwara and Ekiti States, Bukola Saraki and Ayodele Fayose; as well as the popular business mogul, Tony Elemelu. However, the five governors of the PDP opposed to Ayu and belong to the G5 clique were conspicuously absent from the inauguration.
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu were all absent at the event. This development may not be surprising to many, judging by Makinde’s affiliation to the G5 and the ongoing political schemings within the PDP. The G5 and some other aggrieved members of the party are revolting against Ayu’s refusal to vacate the chairmanship position of PDP. And the situation has been like that since Wike lost out of the presidential primary election that produced Atiku Abubakar in May 2022. The G5’s argument is that since the North has produced the presidential candidate, a southerner should be Chairman of the party.
Some, however, felt Makinde should have put aside whatever political differences they may have and at least, honour Adeleke with his presence, as the new governor of Osun State. The belief is that the two states, ordinarily, should be close. Osun, it would be recalled, was created from Oyo State on 27th August, 1991.
This latest animosity between handlers of the two states, according to some opinion molders, if not well managed, may jeopardize the existing mutual relationship between the states. A typical example of such mutual relationship was the resolution of the ownership crisis of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso. The crisis, which ravaged the jointly-owned institution for years, was amicably settled by the commendable initiative of both Makinde and the immediate past governor of Osun State, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.
Some have also frowned at Governor Makinde’s refusal to congratulate Adeleke on his inauguration. This, they said, is contrary to his former stand on Adeleke’s election victory in July this year. In his congratulatory message shortly after the governorship election, Makinde likened Adeleke’s victory to his own story in 2019. Makinde, in a press statement by his CPS, Taiwo Adisa, said: “On behalf of the government and the good people of Oyo State, I congratulate the Osun State Governor-Elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke and the people of Osun State on this victory. It is great to have a second PDP flag flying in the South-West and this victory teaches all politicians an important lesson-that truly, power resides with the people. “The power of the people will continue to triumph, the earlier politicians realise this fact, the better for our democracy.” The political dynamic seems to have changed after this statement was made.
As it is now, Makinde and Adeleke may continue with their frosty relationship until G5’s issue with the PDP is resolved. But could the issue be resolved before the presidential election in February 2023? Time, as they say, would definitely tell.
-Dare Adeniran
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