Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Minister of Power and Steel, Elder Wole Oyelese has clarified the reason behind his absence at the campaign flag-off for the re-election bid of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state.
While fielding questions on the memorable political events in the PDP in Ibadan in the outgoing week, Elder Oyelese started out by paying glowing tributes on the likes of the former Deputy Governor of the state Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, Femi Babalola Jogor, Hon Wale Adegoke, Former Commissioner Majekodunmi Aborode, Former minister of state for FCT Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Professor Abiodun Rauf, Chief mrs Bola Doherty, Chief Segun Oyewole Segeto, Hon Busari for their invaluable contributions to the huge success the Freedom March in solidarity for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s Presidential bid achieved.
He described the march as unprecedented and ascribed the success to all who participated including the support groups and the good people of Oyo state who trooped out in their thousands.
Speaking on his absence at the flag off programme, Oyelese who is the Grand Patron of all the support groups of the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in Oyo state said it would not be proper for him to be at such a gathering given the current attitude of the G5 governors to the party and its Presidential Candidate.
He explained further that as the leader of PDP members in the state, who are working assiduously for the victory of Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election, it would be inexcusable for him to be with G5 governors who have resolved and openly vowed not to work for the success of our party’s official candidate.
“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”, Elder Oyelese asserted.
The G5 governors led by the Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike were in Ibadan on Thursday to show their solidarity in support of one of them, Engr Seyi Makinde, who is seeking re-election for a second term in office.
Elder Oyelese and others, such as former deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, Femi Babalola Jogor, Professor Abiodun Raufu, Honourable Wale Adegoke and others were absent from the flag-off while only former Minister of State for FCT, Olooye Jumoke Akinjide attended.
It could be recalled that on Tuesday, Elder Wole Oyelese led others like the leaders mentioned earlier and Olooye Jumoke 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 on their planned walk for Atiku.
On Wednesday, the former Minister of Special Duties, Elder Oyelese also led same people and other prominent PDP members like Engineer Jide Adeniji, who is in charge of Special Duties for the south and Dr Eddy Olafeso who is DG for the South West in the campaign council to stage a walk tagged “Freedom Walk” to express their support for the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar GCON.
Speaking with journalists on Saturday, Elder Oyelese said 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 Abubakar to be with those, who are yet to make their presidential candidate known despite the fact that they are in 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, he queried.
According to him, “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”.
Elder Oyelese concluded by expressing immense gratitude to all who willingly and enthusiastically participated in the Freedom March promising that their effort of love will be adequately rewarded when Atiku becomes the President and Commander in Chief.
