2023: Governor Makinde, Loyalists Shun Freedom March Press Conference For Atiku

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has again shown that he has no interest in  the Candidature of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Makinde is of the PDP.

He was conspicuously absent at the Pre-Atiku Freedom March Press Conference held for the former Vice President at the Oyo state Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Governor’s  loyalists were also absent at the Press Briefing, confirming  that the crisis rocking the PDP is not likely to end before the Presidential election scheduled for 25th February, 2023.

Addressing the Media at the Press Briefing were former ministers of Federal Capital Territory (State), Jumoke Akinjide, Mines and Steel Development, Wole Oyelese and former deputy governor of the state, Hazeem Gbolarumi and another chieftain of the party, Femi Babalola.

The freedom march is billed for Thursday in Ibadan, the state capital It is a rally to canvass votes for the PDP Candidate.

Political observers has said that it is glaring that Governor Makinde will not align with Atiku as he has refused to put the pictures of Atiku on his Governorship Campaign poster like others Governorship Candidates of the PDP and other Parties.

Governor Makinde alongside Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike; Samuel Ortom of Benue State; Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu formed the G-5 Group, who are calling for the resignation of the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.

Efforts by the  Board of Trustees, BoT, and elder statesmen of the Party to bring an end to the crisis has not yielded anything positive.