Former member of the House of Representatives and Head of the Popular Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Abiodun Awoleye has declared that the governor of Oyo, Seyi Makinde, has the political force and leadership qualities to lead the PDP to claim the presidency of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Speaking with journalists at his Residence Bashorun in Ibadan during the 65th celebration of the Anniversary of the Independence of Nigeria, Awoleye described Makinde as a “humble politician, reliable base mobilizer and administrator with unusual capacity.”
“Governor Makinde has demonstrated a rare political will and an administrative force. I firmly believe that he has what is necessary to reposition our great party and ensure that we will recover power nationwide,” said Awoleye.
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The Chieftain PDP added that Makinde’s success in joining the party’s state chapter and directing an inclusive government was proof of its ability to restructure the PDP nationwide.
His comments echoed from Makinde’s own statement at the recent PDP State Congress in Ibadan, where the governor assured the party members that the “era of violent and parallel congresses had ended”, emphasizing that the model of peace and internal democracy established in Oyo would be replicated nationwide.
Awoleye further praised Makinde’s governance record, particularly its consistency in the payment of wages, pensions and tips, describing it as a stabilizing force in the midst of Nigeria’s economic difficulties.
“Even the late Alaaafin de Oyo commented once he was surprised by how Governor Makinde has handled governance without problems without duty to the workers a single month,” he recalled.
He attributed rapid and uninterrupted payments of wages, tip and pensions of workers by Makinde as a catalyst for socio -economic stability and constant economic growth in the state, qualifying the governor a genius whose governance approach in the midst of national economic challenges must be hunched over for the National Rebirth.
He described Makinde as a man with a deep sense of creative mind for problem solving and expressed his admiration for his crisis management skills, asking the faithful of the party to continue remembering the governor in their daily personal prayers.
In another development, the various speakers in Awoleye’s celebration pointed out that the confidence of the former legislator in Makinde’s ability to restructure the party aligns with the promise of the governor of a more cohesive, disciplined and vision of the future capable of bringing Nigeria to economic recovery and national stability.
The president of Ibadan North PDP, Ademiyiwa Mustapha, who led to both local government and neighborhood executives to the celebration, described Awoleye as a peaceful person with an impressive political pedigree.
He urged party members to stand firm, keep genuine intentions with each other and work together in the Unit for the General Progress of PDP.
In your final comments, the Hon. Awoleye revealed that he shares the same birthday with Alhaja Mutiat Laraja, former first lady of the state, while his own wife shares the same birthday with the new Olubadan of Ibadan, his imperial majesty, oba rashidi Adewolu Ladja Arusa I.
He described this coincidence as a source of personal joy and connection with the real and political inheritance of Ibadan.
Also speaking, an old man of the party, Pastor Gbenro, described the occasion as a “tripartite celebration” since it coincided with the 65th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence.
He recalled Awoleye’s role as caregiver president who helped install the PDP in the state of Ogun, describing it as “a pride for Ibadan North.”
Excmo Awoleye remains one of the most punished politicians with a vast experience in politics and governance.
“It is humble, accessible and a blessing for this generation,” said Gbenro, offering sentences for the celebrant and his family.
Other speakers in the event praised the political trip and character of Awoleye. A party partner described him as “a direct person and a reliable base mobilizer that many young politicians admire as a model to follow.”
The youth leader of the PDP in Ibadan North said that he had never regretted looking at Awoleye, calling him “a more important politician with exceptional humility.”
The party members, however, expressed their optimism about the future of the PDP both in Ibadan North, Oyo, and Nigeria arrive 2027.
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