THIS DAWN — In politics, every individual has the right to hold opinion, provided it is within the law and the right of others is not trampled upon.
Governor Seyi Makinde and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, were two prominent figures in the famous Group of Five Governors (G5) that opposed the Presidential ambition of Atiku Abubakar in 2023 elections.
Their grouch was that PDP, under Iyorchia Ayu promoted nepotism by retaining Chairman of the party in the North.
Iyorchia Ayu refused to resign as he promised to do, if a Northerner emerged as Presidential hopeful in 2023.
The G5 essentially fought for Justice, Equity and Fairness in the party.
In the end, Atiku Abubakar expectedly lost the Presidential election to the APC candidate, Bola Tinubu as he then was.
There is no sign that G5 disbanded after 2023 elections, but what is clear is that they achieved their aim.
What appears to be the case now is that Governor Seyi Makinde Presidential ambition in 2027 has brought him in direct confrontation with Wike’s stance.
Wike has made it clear that he is supporting the second term ambition of President Tinubu in 2027.
What is, however, clear at least from my observation is that Governor Seyi Makinde felt that there are no more injustices in PDP, after teaming up with four other governors to shut down the ambition of Atiku Abubakar.
Wike on the other hand, feels that injustices still lurk in PDP.
In fact, from observation, the Atiku faction of the PDP appears to have made it a point of duty to witch-hunt any member of PDP that was even remotely connected to Wike.
What I cannot say is whether Governor Seyi Makinde teamed up with Atiku faction in PDP against Wike, or is it a matter of: my enemy’s enemy, is my friend?
PDP has since split into two factions, the Aliyu Damagun /Tanimu Turaki-led faction and what is regarded as Wike Faction.
Governor Seyi Makinde is clearly a member of Turaki-led faction of PDP. In fact, the convention that produced Tanimu Turaki as Chairman of PDP was done in Oyo State.
As it stands now, Governor Seyi Makinde appears to be the new leader of Tanimu Turaki-led PDP.
From the body language of INEC, the convention that produced Tanimu Turaki-led PDP faction has not been recognised by the commission.
This appears to be reason for Governor Seyi Makinde’s annoyance with Wike.
As it stands now, Governor Seyi Makinde has lost out in the power game. He appears to be drowning politically.
Without political platform, how can he even become a Senator in 2027? There is clearly no pathway for Seyi Makinde, he has boxed himself to the corner politically.
For even supporting candidate Sunday Ude-Okoye for secretary of PDP, in place of Samuel Anyanwu, Governor Makinde clearly presented himself as someone who is lawless.
The constitution of PDP clearly stated how an officer of the party can be replaced, but Seyi Makinde and Co elected to dump their own constitution, in desperate attempt to deal with anyone connected to Wike.
The allegation that Wike promised to hold PDP for Tinubu ahead of 2027, by Governor Makinde makes mockery of rational reasoning. How can one person hold a whole PDP for another person?
The last time I checked, Wike has only one vote to cast in an election. One wonders how he planned to hold the party for Tinubu.
If Seyi Makinde and his fellow lawless PDP members had followed what the party’s constitution stipulated, how will Wike be relevant in the party?
This opinion of Governor Seyi Makinde was what the governor of Bayelsa state, Douye Diri and his counterpart in Enugu State, Peter Mbah held before they “Japaed” to APC.
How will a normal human being listen to Governor Seyi Makinde’s line of thought, when similar view was held by PDP Governors in past, but they later swallowed their vomit?
But what could be the possible reason Makinde is trying to position himself as a new saviour of PDP now? Surely, he is a pretender as far 2027 Presidency is concerned.
Will Yorubas abandon President Tinubu and vote one Seyi Makinde in 2027? Of course, they will never do so.
The only plausible reasons he is pretending to be interested in 2027 Presidency could be to use it to negotiate with President Tinubu for soft landing, in case EFCC comes calling after his tenure, or some opposition elements want to use him to divide South West votes come 2027.
Hear Governor Seyi Makinde, “The real Issue is that Wike would like to support the President for 2027. That is fine.
It is within his right to do that. But also, some of us that want to ensure that democracy survives in Nigeria, that we don’t drift into a one-party state and want to ensure that PDP survives should be allowed to do our own thing,”
Wait a minute Governor, is Wike also responsible for defection of PDP Governors to APC? Between Wike and former PDP Governors that defected to APC, who is contributing to the so-called drift of Nigeria into a one-party state?
Is Wike also responsible for defection of Governors Douye Diri and Peter Mbah, Sheriff Oborevwori and Umo Eno to APC?
Is Wike responsible for the lawlessness of your faction of PDP?
Advice: Governor Seyi Makinde, stop attributing to Wike the power he clearly lacks. The problem is probably from you, check yourself very well!
Emeka Oraetoka, an Information and Perception Management Consultant, wrote in from Abuja; E-mail: giltsdaimension@gmail.com.
