Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said Nigeria cannot afford to become a one-party state.
The governor also declared that he is qualified and old enough to speak for himself as far as his speculated presidential ambition in 2027 is concerned.
Speculations have been rife about Makinde’s ambition in 2027 when his constitutionally guaranteed two terms as governor ends.
In a chat with the PDP press corps in Fashola Farms in Oyo State yesterday expressed concern that Nigeria’s potential can’t be attained if it slides into a one-party state.
He said, “Nigeria must not slide into a one-party state so that others will have the opportunity to showcase their talents.”
Speaking about his honoured presidential ambition, Mankinde said,
“We didn’t do this (Host PDP reporters’ retreat) because somebody has a presidential ambition. No comment, nothing. But all I can say to you is, I’m old enough if I want to do something, I will come out and say, this is what I want to do. So, no speculation, nobody can push my agenda. I will push my agenda when the time comes.”
Makinde recalled that with the support of the people of Oyo State, he defied several odds including two failed Senate attempts before his election into office as governor.
He said, “Oyo State people took a decision in 2019. We did not have a godfather. Nobody sponsored me, nobody gave me a dime for us to get in here but the people of Oyo State decided, we wanted to give this opportunity to an outsider.
“And before that, you will see videos saying that Oh, Seyi, what has he done before? Has he been a councilor? No. Has he been to the House of Representatives? No. What about the Senate? I tried twice but was rejected.
“So, experience in politics – No experience in governance but I’ve done well for myself in business and they said we’ll give you the opportunity and before that time, the whole of the South West was APC, all six states. But in Oyo State, we chose to be different. Because I had no experience, I wanted to convince the people.
“We produced a document, Road Map to accelerated development of Oyo State, 2019-2023 and I said to the people, this is it in black and white, hold me accountable and they gave us the opportunity. Thank God it is being done.”
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the return to the path of development which South West leaders are known for and which put the region on the international map of innovative governance.
He recounted how farm settlements like Fashola Farms were created in the 1950s by Chief Obafemi Awolowo with cattle breeds and other livestock.
He said, “If you go to Tel Aviv in Israel, you’ll see the first one they built and many more have followed.”
He, however, said he wants to remembered for building institutions that will guarantee good governance irrespective of whoever occupies the office of governor.
