Soji Ajibola, Ibadan
Former Vice-President and the 2019 Presidential Candidate of the the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), Abubakar Atiku has sidelined the governor of Oyo state, Engr. Seyi Makinde in his 2023 presidential bid.
Atiku who intensified his campaign with a visit to Ibadan to lobby the state delegates at the weekend avoided a meeting with the leader of the party, Makinde.
The former Vice-President met with the delegates instead of Makinde who they believe is backing another candidate.
The meeting which was held at the Party Secretariat, Molete, Ibadan South-East local government area had in attendance notable chieftains of the party.
The former Vice President who declined comment his avoidance of the Government said the visit was aimed at meeting and seeking the supports of the delegates ahead the party’s primary slated for end of the month.
Atiku advised the delegates to shun ethnic and religious sentiments in the choice of candidate that would represent the party in 2023.
Unfolding his agenda, Atiku stated that the nation needed a candidate with a wealth of experience and capability to fix the nation’s dwindling economy.
However, delegates were stunned when they learnt that the former Vice-President left the state without visiting their leader, Makinde.
A chieftain of the party who preferred anonymity to The Network Atiku didn’t come for a state visit and he has right to decide who to visit.
Everybody knows that Makinde has a preferred candidate, Wike, and he is not hiding it.
Do you expect Atiku to be wasting his precious time visiting somebody that does not share in his vision.
Oyo delegates have minds of their own. Nobody is disputing the fact that Makinde is the leader of the party but he can’t influence our decision. This is democracy.
A top governor’s aide who preferred anonymity expressed shocked that former Vice-President could visit the state without seen the Governor.
Aside, politics, courtsey demands that Atiku should visit the governor as the number one security officer.
We were aware of his visit, but it is sad to note that politics could descend to this level of animousity between members of the same party.
Other contenders have been visiting the state and the governor have been receiving them.
Governor Jackson Udom of Akwa Ibom state was in Agodi Government House few weeks back and was highly welcome.
Our correspondent gathered that Atiku’s position might not be unconnected with the position of Makinde on the zoning of the Presidency to the Southern region.
Also, Atiku”s favourite, Gbolarumi Hazeem is one of the strong contenders for Makinde seat in 2023.
Gbolarumi, at different fora has described Makinde as a tenant in PDP, adding that his tenancy would expire in 2023