By Kamil Opeyemi
The Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has received on Thursday the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress Bola Tinubu in Ibadan, the state capital. Governor Makinde was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and seeking re-election on the same platform for a second term in office.
Makinde is however one of the protesting governors of the PDP who have insisted on the removal of the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu. They are also believed to support a Southern presidency after the expiration of the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari, a Northerner from Katsina state.
NPO Reported on Wednesday the visit of the APC candidate to the Governor of Rivers Statem Nyesom Wike after his open campaign in PortHarcourt, Rivers State. Wike is one of the prime movers of the protestant governors named the G-5. Others in this league are Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu State), Samuel Ortom (Benue State) and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State. Already, Mapo Hall, venue of today’s rally is packed with party faithfuls ahead of Tinubu’s arrival.
The Governor, while speaking, declared that the people of the state will vote for a presidential candidate whose election will promote equity, justice and unity of Nigeria.
He urged Tinubu to feel free to campaign in the state, saying everything has been done to ensure the event is peaceful and hitch free.
He said his administration believes in putting people first, stating that “political players will come and go, but the country will remain.”
Speaking on the position of the G5, Makinde said it is that “if they have to choose between their individual aspiration and the unity of the country, they will choose Nigeria’s unity.”
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He said the group monitored the APC presidential primaries that produced Tinubu as candidate, and commended the principled position taken by the Northern Governors.
Noting that the Northern Governors reckoned that because power must return to the South in 2023, they would support a Southern candidate.
“There has to be inclusiveness by all sections of the country in power-sharing if the country must progress.
“If the country does not survive, how can anyone aspire to be anything in that country,” he said.
Tinubu thanked Governor Makinde for the warm reception, saying he came to accord him the respect that he deserves as the chief executive of the state.
“I cannot come to Oyo State to campaign for votes without visiting you to pay my respect to you as a governor, leader and an Omoluabi.”