Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo state, welcomed Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the APC’s presidential candidate, and Dapo Abiodun, the governor of Ogun state, on Thursday in his Agodi Secretariat office in Ibadan.
Even though the G-5 governors continue to avoid Atiku’s political campaign in their respective states, the visit, which was reportedly intended as a courtesy call on the governor, was unprecedented because it involved two prominent political figures running for different parties in the general elections of 2023.
In his brief comments, Tinubu praised Makinde for his excellent performance and for acting with peace and respect ever since taking office. He was similarly appreciative of the governor’s warm welcome.
The APC presidential candidate, while expressing his mission to the state equally commended Makinde for being a lucky individual to be part of the history of the state as the incumbent governor while calling for national politics devoid of ethnic sentiments.
Tinubu maintained that his aspiration is to become the next president of a united an secured Nigeria while assuring that the APC rally in the state would be peaceful and orderly devoid of any crisis.
In his address, Makinde, who recalled events that led to the emergence of Tinubu and the sacrifice of northern governors and presidential aspirants said the agitation of G-5 PDP governors is for justice, equity and fairness saying Oyo state would vote accordingly come February 25.
Makinde, who is equally seeking a reelection for his second term on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo state is a member of the G-5 nicknamed the ‘integrity governors’ headed by Nyesom Wike of Rivers state.
Tinubu’s visit to Makinde has however, further fueled the speculation that there might indeed be a secret alliance between the duo towards the emergence of a southern president following the collapse of a peaceful resolution between the G-5 and the PDP national hierarchy considering the fact that Atiku Abubakar’s campaign in the state was shunned by governor Makinde.
