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Makinde has qualities to unseat Tinubu in 2027 – PDP
Hon. Abiodun Awoleye, a former member of the House of Representatives and a senior figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has stated that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde possesses the necessary political influence and managerial skills to guide the PDP in wresting the presidency from President Bola Tinubu by 2027.
In an interaction with reporters at his home in Bashorun, Ibadan, during the festivities for Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day, Awoleye characterized Makinde as a modest political figure, a reliable organizer at the community level, and an executive with exceptional abilities.
READ ALSO: Makinde returns from leave for Olubadan coronation
“Governor Makinde has shown rare political will and administrative strength. I strongly believe he has what it takes to reposition our great party and ensure we take back power at the national level,” Awoleye said.
The PDP leader went on to note that Makinde’s achievements in bringing together the party’s branch in Oyo State and operating a government that includes diverse voices demonstrate his potential to reorganize the PDP on a broader scale.
His comments resonated with Makinde’s recent statement at the PDP’s state congress in Ibadan, where the governor promised supporters that the time of aggressive, rival gatherings had ended, and emphasized that the framework of harmony and member participation developed in Oyo could be extended across the country.
Awoleye also commended Makinde’s track record in leadership, especially his reliability in disbursing wages, retirement benefits, and lump-sum payments, viewing it as a key element in maintaining balance during the country’s financial difficulties.
“Even the late Alaafin of Oyo once remarked that he was amazed at how Governor Makinde has managed governance seamlessly without owing workers a single month,” he recalled.
He credited Makinde’s consistent and timely disbursements of employee compensation, end-of-service benefits, and retiree allowances as drivers of social and economic steadiness, as well as consistent development in the state, labeling the governor a brilliant strategist whose methods for handling national fiscal pressures deserve examination as a blueprint for broader renewal.
He portrayed Makinde as someone endowed with innovative thinking for tackling challenges and voiced his respect for the governor’s expertise in navigating conflicts, while appealing to party supporters to keep Makinde in their daily thoughts and supplications.
Separately, contributors at Awoleye’s birthday event observed that the ex-lawmaker’s faith in Makinde’s capacity to overhaul the party matches the governor’s vision for a more unified, orderly, and progressive PDP ready to steer Nigeria toward financial rebound and overall steadiness.
Ademiyiwa Mustapha, the PDP Chairman for Ibadan North, who brought along executives from the local government and ward levels to the event, depicted Awoleye as a calm individual with a notable history in politics.
He called on party members to stay committed, foster sincere relationships among themselves, and collaborate harmoniously for the PDP’s collective advancement.
Wrapping up, Hon. Awoleye disclosed that he shares a birthdate with Alhaja Mutiat Ladoja, the state’s former First Lady, and that his spouse shares hers with the current Olubadan of Ibadan, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Arusa I.
He viewed this alignment as a delightful link to Ibadan’s traditions in royalty and leadership.
In his address, a senior party member, Pastor Gbenro, called the gathering a combined festivity, given its overlap with Nigeria’s 65th Independence milestone.
He highlighted Awoleye’s past service as interim head that facilitated the PDP’s establishment in Ogun State, terming it a point of honor for Ibadan North.
Hon. Awoleye continues to stand out as one of the most approachable politicians, boasting extensive knowledge in political affairs and public administration.
“He is humble, accessible, and a blessing to this generation,” Gbenro said, extending blessings to the honoree and his loved ones.
Additional participants at the function lauded Awoleye’s career in politics and his personal qualities. One fellow PDP leader called him a direct and trustworthy community organizer whom emerging politicians regard as an example to emulate.
The PDP Youth Leader for Ibadan North mentioned that he has never second-guessed his admiration for Awoleye, referring to him as a leading political voice marked by remarkable modesty.
Nevertheless, party affiliates voiced confidence in the PDP’s prospects at the local level in Ibadan North, statewide in Oyo, and nationally by 2027.
“It demonstrates, in the clearest possible terms, that when citizens act with unity, clarity of purpose, and resolve, they can indeed move mountains.”
These were the exact words with which the African Democratic Congress (ADC), reacted to Tuesday’s agreement of the 10th Senate to reverse the controversial provisions in the Electoral Amendment Bill, in which they earlier retained the discretionary provision of transmission of results of election electronically by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Bolaji Abdullahi, spokesman of the coalition party, attributing the U-turn to the resilience of Nigerians, described the development as a victory for democracy and people-powered civic action.
Abdullahi, a former Minister, who called on Nigerians to stay alert and continue mounting pressure on relevant authorities until the amended bill secures presidential assent, is duly gazetted, and takes full legal effect, urged Nigerians to maintain eternal vigilance.
Following a groundswell of outrage across the country, regarding its initial decision to retain the 2022 provision and subsequent protests, which saw Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023 and Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor Rivers State, teaming up with a group of Nigerians on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, the Senate eventually bowed to pressure mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit elections to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), real time, but with a proviso to use manual collation only as a contingency in cases of technological failure.
Hailing the development, ADC stated that the recant by the lawmakers was beyond a simple legislative reversal, but a reflection of the resilience, alertness, and growing political awareness of Nigerians from all segments of society.
The statement, added: “The decision of the 10th Senate to urgently reverse the contentious provisions of the Electoral Amendment Bill that it passed is a significant victory for the Nigerian people.
“This outcome is not merely a legislative U-turn. It is a testament to the resilience, vigilance, and rising political consciousness of Nigerians across all walks of life. From street protests to digital campaigns, the Nigerian people have once again shown that sovereignty truly belongs to them.
“In the face of the ruling APC’s habitual disregard for due process and democratic values, the Nigerian people have reaffirmed their place as the ultimate custodians of our democracy.
“In this regard, the African Democratic Congress salutes the courage and tenacity of Nigerians. We commend every citizen who raised their voice, whether online or offline, to resist legislative mischief that threatened to undermine our electoral integrity.”
Calling on Nigerians to remain steadfast, stressing that the development represents only a step in the right direction, not the final victory, the party, added: “We must now ensure that this momentum is sustained until the amended bill is not only passed but duly assented to by the President, properly gazetted, and becomes an enforceable law of the Federal Republic.
“We must remain vigilant to ensure there are no last-minute betrayals or technical ambiguities, the kind that often lead to ‘stories that touch.’ Let this be a reminder that democracy does not thrive in silence or indifference. It demands participation, persistence, and sometimes, peaceful defiance.”
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Tuesday, confirmed that President Bola Tinubu has once again intervened to stem the political schism between the Rivers State House of Assembly and Siminalayi Fubara, the governor that would have led to the latter’s impeachment.
But the Minister, left a caveat – this is the last time the President would be making such an intervention – as he added that both sides would now have to work according to the terms agreed at the parley.
In the latest faceoff which started early in the year, 27 members of the assembly said to be loyal to Wike, had launched a fresh impeachment move against the governor – the third since he took office in 2023, accusing him of sundry infractions of the constitution including spending money without appropriation.
Fubara, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), last year, was believed to have run to the President for succour, whose intervention is believed to have halted the move.
Giving details of the rapprochement, Wike told reporters in Abuja, on Tuesday that the President playing a fatherly role stepped in to resolve disputes between the two parties.
His words: “He is very kind to the people of the state. If there seems to be any problem between the legislature and the governor, as a father, he really has to intervene.
“This is the second time Mr President is intervening and I believe by the grace of God that this will be the last time Mr President will intervene.”
Wike, who has since been linked to the crises from the outset and in firm grips of the lawmakers, also pointed out his own role in the matter, saying: “I have told them to obey Mr President and I know that they would not hesitate.”
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday finally sent the name of Usman Isa Dakingari, former Governor of Kebbi State to the Senate for confirmation as as a non-career ambassador after last month’s embarrassing mix-up in which his name suddenly appeared for posting to Turkey without legislative clearance.
Tinubu, in a correspondence conveying the appointment, which was read by Godswill Akpabio, said: “I write for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of Usman Isa Dakingari as non-career ambassador,.
“Whilst I hope that the senate will consider and confirm the nominee expeditiously, please accept, distinguished senate president, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
After reading the letter at plenary, the Senate President, said the matter would be referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for consideration and report back to the Committee of Whole within one week.
Electoral Act: Don’t go to sleep, maintain eternal vigilance, ADC tells Nigerians
This is the last time Tinubu will intervene in Rivers’ row – Wike
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