Elder Wole Oyelese, a leader in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a former minister of power and steel, has explained why he was unable to attend the launch of Governor Seyi Makinde's campaign for reelection.
Speaking about the cause of his absence at the state capital of Ibadan, Oyelese stated that it would not be appropriate for him to attend such a meeting considering the G5 governors' present stance toward the party and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
He said it would be impermissible for him to remain with the G5 governors who have determined and publicly sworn not to fight for the success of the party's candidate as the PDP leaders in the state work tirelessly for Atiku to win the 2023 presidential election.
He said: “It is believed that the G5 governors are still shopping for an alternative presidential candidate who they hope to use to frustrate our aspiration to produce the next president of Nigeria. This unpatriotic dream will however not materialise as Atiku’s presidency is God’s own project.”
The G5 governors led by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, were in Ibadan on Thursday, to show their solidarity for one of them, Makinde, who is seeking re-election for a second term in office.
But Oyelese and others, such as former deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, Femi Babalola, Prof. Abiodun Raufu, Wale Adegoke and others were absent at the flag-off, while only former the Minister of State for FCT, Jumoke Akinjide, attended.
On Tuesday, Oyelese led others like Akinjide and other prominent members of the PDP across the South-west geo-political zone to a press conference held at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, on their planned walk for Atiku.
Oyelese maintained that it would be morally wrong for him as the leader of Atiku Support Groups and leader of prominent PDP members working for the victory of Atiku to be with those who are yet to make their presidential candidate known despite the fact that they are in the same party with Atiku.
“Besides, what kind of example will I be showing as a leader endorsing the activities of the G5 by my presence at the flag-off?
“Yes, I did not attend Governor Makinde’s re-election flag-off, likewise others who are working for Atiku Abubakar in the state. It is not that I hold anything personal against Governor Makinde but it will still be morally wrong for me to be in a place where G5 governors, who are yet to declare their support for Atiku are being celebrated.
“The major task ahead of us at this crucial time is to ensure that we substantially increase the number of votes for Atiku in the 2023 election compared to the 2019 number of votes we gave him in Oyo State even though he still won. In addition, we plan to deliver Oyo State to Atiku by a landslide. It is our desire that he emerges victorious in the state and Nigeria as a whole to become the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”