“G5 Governors working to protect everyone’s Interest” – Makinde

Olubunmi Osoteku, Ibadan.

On Dec 11, 2022

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, South-West Nigeria, has reiterated that the G5 governors’ grouse against the

national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is to ensure that everyone’s interest is protected, especially at the national level irrespective of tribe or zone.

Makinde stated this at a town hall meeting held at the Saki Parapo Hall, Saki, Oyo state.

The PDP has been in an internal crisis over party leadership: The presidential candidate, Alh. Atiku Abubakar and Governor Wike of Rivers state, Southern Nigeria, have had opposing views with Gov. Wike calling for the removal of the party’s National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.

According to Wike, there is the need for the South to produce the party’s next national chairman.

The ‘G5-Governors’ of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are opposed to the current status quo within the party.

It is against this background that the Oyo state’s Governor, Seyi Makinde, has been touring the political zones of the state in a bid to reconcile all aggrieved members of the PDP in the state ahead of the the 2023 elections.

Makinde said it was too early for the G5 governors christened ‘Integrity Group’ to reveal the presidential candidate the group would be supporting in the election, as talks were still ongoing. He, however, expressed hope that the matter would be resolved on time.

“Regarding the presidential election someone said I should speak out, but that time has not come.

“One day is a long time in politics. I know what he wants me to say. He wants me to say who we will support in the presidential election.

“Let me tell you that we are still talking and politics is a game of interests.

“By the grace of God, I will still be the governor in the next four years, but there are many appointments at the federal level.

“If Oyo state’s interest is not protected, you know I cannot be governor and minister at the same time, it is some of you.

“But I am in the best position today to project and protect the interest of all of us.

“So, we are still talking. It is not yet time and it has a reason.

“But I plead with you. The federal election will not hang in the air; the polling units to wards to local government to states make up the federal level,” Makinde appealed.

Infrastructure

Addressing residents of Oke Ogun Zone 2 comprising Atisbo, Saki West, Saki East, Oorelope, Irepo and Olorunsogo Local Government areas of the state, the govenor said his administration would complete the Saki-Ogbooro-Igboho Road, which it conceived in due course.

He added that the administration would also go ahead to fix the Igboho-Kishi-Igbeti road with a view to linking the Irepo/Oorelope/Olorunsogo Federal Constituency to the burgeoning economy of Saki, a commercial nerve centre of the state.