Politics
2023 Presidency: Makinde rallies for consensus candidate
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state on Tuesday said the presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 election would be someone that has everybody’s buy-in.
The governor, who was speaking while receiving leading presidential hopefuls of the party, who paid him a visit at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, said that the party would ensure the presidential candidate emerges through a consensus arrangement.
Makinde, who received the team of presidential aspirants including former President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, and foremost economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen, assured that stakeholders in the PDP would work hand-in-hand to ensure the consensus option pulls through.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, Makinde pledged to work with the aspirants to ensure that the PDP picks a consensus presidential candidate.
He appreciated the presidential aspirants for coming up with the consensus idea, noting that the party will work together to give to Nigeria, a president through a process that has “everybody’s buy-in.”
“I want to really thank you my senior colleagues for this visitation. We have discussed behind closed doors the issue of the consensus arrangements we are trying to put together. We did it at the last convention of our party, and that was the first time the PDP was able to achieve bringing in a National Chairman for the party through a consensus arrangement.
“We believe we can do it and we also believe that Nigerians will take this party seriously when they know that we are all working together to give to them a president through a process that has everybody’s buy-in; where there is no rancour among the stakeholders. So, I promise my elder brothers that we will work hand in hand to ensure that this consensus arrangement is successful.
“I have also said that, internally, we will ensure that people understand what we are trying to do. And where there is any iota of doubt or confusion. We will put a mechanism in place where it will get addressed almost immediately as we move along”, Governor Makinde said.
The statement equally quoted Senator Saraki, who spoke on behalf of the team as saying that the team of presidential hopefuls was in Ibadan to brief Governor Makinde on the plan for a consensus candidate among the aspirants.
Saraki said, “We are here this afternoon to meet the governor of Oyo State, who is a key stakeholder of our party. We have been going around and we have to come and brief him on the idea of the consensus arrangement that we are trying to do together.
“We have looked at the country today- the hardship and insecurity, which our people are going through, and it is clear that it is only our party, PDP, that can provide a brighter future for this country. But we think we ourselves must be ready for government in 2023, by uniting ourselves and being focused.
“This must not be about our individual interests but that of Nigerians. Of course, we all have our individual interests to become the president but we have decided in our meetings that we are ready to subject ourselves to a consensus arrangement. It is not just for one part of the country but for the PDP as a party. Even, whoever emerges cannot rebuild this country by himself will need the support of everybody and we want the foundation to start from that process, and that is why we are here.
“We all know that Governor Makinde is a great party member, who has worked very hard for this party and we have come to carry him along to address some of these concerns because without the opportunity of him knowing what we are doing, it will be wrong for us to assume he understands the reason behind it.
“As usual, we had a very useful meeting with him and he has added his ideas, value, and commitment. We know he has no interest more than the interest of how Nigeria can be better and we too don’t have any other interest. So, we thank Your Excellency for receiving us.
“We were in Asaba yesterday (Monday) and I read about a particular mischievous article. This is not about who gets what but the insecurity and hardship of this country. How do we make life better for everyone and how can we work as a team? That is what we are here for.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to resign immediately, alleging that his recent remarks on state security exposed incompetence and an inability to lead.
Governor Makinde, speaking during his acceptance speech as the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan on Saturday, lamented that he could do little to rescue abducted school children and residents in Oriire Local Government Area due to all security structures being under federal control.
Reacting, APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the governor’s comments as “the height of cluelessness, insincerity, and criminal ineptitude,” warning that such disclosures reflect a dangerous trend among parochial leaders.
Sadare said, “Engr. Seyi Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution, yet he swore twice to protect lives and properties of Oyo people. He has long enjoyed the powers of his office, controlling resources and people without challenge, but now faces a serious test, exposing incompetence, cluelessness, and ego.”
He added, “Instead of addressing security challenges, Makinde is exploiting the situation to push a mirage he calls a presidential ambition in 2027. His insensitive comments once again reveal hypocrisy. It is time he quit the office of the governor, having admitted he lacks the capacity to secure the state.”
The APC also recalled that previous governors, including Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, operated under the same constitutional provisions without similar security failures. Sadare particularly praised Ajimobi for establishing a Security Trust Fund to ensure funding and stakeholder involvement in security, in contrast to the current administration.
“Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival. Our concern is the continued loss, deprivation, and mismanagement the people of Oyo may suffer in the remaining year of his tenure. The state deserves a team player, a sincere and humble governor — qualities Makinde has failed to demonstrate in seven years. He should apologise and step down,” Sadare concluded.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of the party’s presidential nomination process.
Makinde emerged through consensus and affirmation by party delegates during the exercise, in what party leaders described as a demonstration of unity and confidence in his leadership ahead of the next general elections.
The governor was presented with his Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantali, during a ceremony held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid cheers from party faithful, delegates and supporters drawn from different parts of the country.
Speaking during the presentation, Dantali said Makinde possesses the leadership qualities, administrative experience and vision required to steer the country towards sustainable growth and national development.
He urged party members across the federation to close ranks and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure victory for the party in the 2027 presidential election.
The APM national chairman maintained that the party remained committed to presenting Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of addressing the country’s economic, security and governance challenges.
According to him, the emergence of Makinde as the party’s flag bearer marked the beginning of a new political movement aimed at restoring hope and strengthening democratic governance in the country.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Makinde expressed appreciation to the leadership of the party and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to work with stakeholders across political, ethnic and religious divides to advance the party’s vision for national transformation.
The governor assured party supporters of his commitment to inclusive leadership, promising to prioritise policies that would improve economic prosperity, strengthen institutions and enhance the welfare of Nigerians if elected.
Five key members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have been appointed to the party’s campaign committee for the 2026 governorship re-election of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji in Ekiti State.
The Oyo APC leaders on the list include the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, former Senate leader Teslim Folarin, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Zacch Adedeji, and Remi Oseni.
The list, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, reflects the APC’s strategy of deploying experienced political figures with strong grassroots networks to ensure a successful re-election campaign in Ekiti.
“These appointments recognise their political experience and commitment to advancing the party’s agenda,” the source within the party said.
The APC committee is expected to coordinate campaign activities, voter engagement, and messaging, positioning the party for a strong showing in the 2026 governorship election.
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