Oyo 2023: Makinde In Search For A Running Mate

By James Orji

Governor Seyi Makinde will contest the 2023 governorship election with a new running mate. His current deputy, Rauf Olaniyan has dumped the ruling party in the state, the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP for the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Anytime from now, the governor is expected to announce a running mate after winning the PDP governorship ticket for re-election two weeks ago.

The defection of the Deputy Governor, close watchers of party say has finally put an end to the silent power struggle between Governor Makinde and his estranged deputy.

Though the two former political allies had long denied the existence of any feud between them, but sources in government House Agodi, Ibadan insist that the duo parted ways as soon as Governor Makinde Swept to power in 2019, after defeating Adebayo Adelabu, a former Deputy Governor of the CBN and All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate.

The frosty relationship first became a public item two years ago, after the Deputy Governor complained to a Reconciliation committee set up by the PDP to reconcile aggrieved members in the party that Governor Makinde has sidelined him in the affairs of the state. The committee was led by Dr Saka Balogun.

Speaking to journalists, on Sunday, Olaniyan said he had no reason to remain in the party following the decision of the governor to make him look like a stranger in running the affairs of the state. He, however, said he still remain in his position as the number two citizen of the state, having been jointly elected with the governor on a joint ticket.

He explained that he will continue to discharge his duty as Deputy Governor, and will continue to cooperate with Governor Makinde in moving the state forward.

Olaniyan said, “This was a joint ticket. I was promised many things. Alhamdulilah for everything. It is not about money. If it was about it, I wouldn’t have attempted to join politics. I am not uncomfortable but by being in position of power, you have the right to assist many people.

“My people have been calling. Those from Ibarapa called yesterday. The Okeogun are meeting in Iseyin as we speak. The people are what make me. They can’t say something and I say otherwise.

“Whatever the governor expects from me, I will do. I have been sidelined in politics. So there is no problem with us. I am still loyal to him except they want to misinterpret the meaning of loyalty.”

Meanwhile, the magazine learnt that Olaniyan took a pre-emptive action against the governor, who many say, was already planning to choose a new running mate ahead next year’s election.

“The frosty relationship has been on for a long time. The two of them have been trying to manage the situation away from the glaring eyes of the public, so that the government will not run into a hitch. But the Deputy Governor seemed to have made things easier for the governors on the issue of choosing a running mate for next year’s election.

“We are sure the governor will be looking at Oke Ogun where the current Deputy Governor hails from to chose a replacement,” a PDP source told The Source Magazine on Monday.