A former gubernatorial aspirant in Edo State and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), High Chief Jacob Idinye has said that the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde should perish the idea of becoming the party’s sole presidential flag bearer in the 2027 election.
The Etsako born politician added that it was very untimely for the Governor to start contemplating such an ambition at a time when the party was still going through healing and reconcilatory process with the intention to solidify its unity and strength.
Idinye further noted that Governor Makinde never supported PDP sole candidate in 2023, stressing that he was among the G5 Governors who worked against the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and truncated his chances of defeating his opponents during the February 2023 presidential poll.
High Chief Idinye who is also a media personality made these assertions during his interaction with some journalists at the local wing of the Lagos Airport on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
He said: “I am really surprised that our political landscape is generating lots of heat and becoming a laughing stock, and of course, I expect all stakeholders in our party to be circumspect and help nip in the bud some of the shenanigans we are seeing in our party. Most recently, was what I read on the pages of newspapers that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared his presidential ambition for 2027.
“My candid advise to Mr Governor is that, he should perish the idea of becoming the party’s sole presidential flag bearer in the 2027 and concentrate on how to more dividends of democracy to them. Besides, this is not the time for any serious politician to make his political intention known, 2027 is till some years ahead and Party’s candidacy isn’t a tea party.
“The party is currently going through healing and reconcilatory process and as well doing everything possible to make itself formidable to stand and win in any election, that is the time a Governor is now throwing his hat in the ring for 2027 ambition. It is ill-timed, tactless and infantile in nature.
“Someone should tell Makinde that we have not forgotten how he abandoned Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as a sole candidate for the 2023 presidential election. He was among the G5 Governors, self-styled as the Integrity Group. Makinde also made all PDP Senators to loss their seats to All Progressives Congress (APC). We the PDP members are no slaves to any PDP Governors. Infact some of these Governors should beg God to forgive them for the hatchet job they perpetuated against PDP.
“It is also misleading, cruel and preposterous for anyone to purport that prominent figures in PDP have reportedly withdrawn their support for former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 elections and that they have thrown their weight behind the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde. This is a lie from the pit of hell and should be taken with a pinch of salt and be completely trashed
“What we currently need in PDP is to solidify unity within our party, and stop all this distraction that has no political capital or value.”
