Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, will, early this week, meet leaders of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, from Oke Ogun, this newspaper has reliably gathered.
The meeting is to finalize talks on who will be the governor’s running mate at the 2023 general elections contrary to rumour that the Governor has picked Barrister Bayo Lawal.
A source very close to the Governor who was privy to the details of meeting told this newspaper that at the end of the meeting, a running mate will be picked among those penciled down for the position.
He added that it’s certain that Engineer Rauf Olaniyan will not be the running mate of the Governor at the 2023 election.
His words: “Yes, I can confirm to you that a meeting has been scheduled for early next week. The Governor wants to meet leaders of the party from Oke Ogun zone over his choice of running mate.
“Contrary to rumour in circulation, the governor hasn’t picked anybody as his running mate. He only has some notable people penciled down for the post. He’s expected to pick from those people. We all know that Engineer Rauf Olaniyan will not be the governor’s running mate in 2023.”
This newspaper gathered that some of those penciled down and being rumoured to be running mate included Barrister Lanre Agoro, Barrister Bayo Lawal, Rt Hon Musah Abdulwasi, Alhaji Ayansiju Lawal, Hon Abiodun Supo and others.
Similarly, someone who doesn’t want his name mentioned confirmed that he has been invited for the meeting.
He however didn’t disclose who sent the invitation and the venue of the meeting.
He added that the meeting in strictly for leaders of the party from Oke Ogun zone.
“Well, I can only confirm to you that a meeting of Oke Ogun leaders has been scheduled for early next week. For security reasons, I won’t tell you the venue and time. But I’m sure it’s about the His Excellency’s running mate.
“We all heard rumour that the Governor has picked Barrister Bayo Lawal. I can confirm to you that it’s not true. The governor can’t pick anyone without due consultation. That’s why he’s calling us to a meeting to decide.
Agoro has a bachelor degrees in agriculture extension and law. Agoro, who is married to outgoing deputy governor’s sister, also hails Igboho, headquarters of Oorelope local government. He once represented Irepo/Oorelope/Olorunsogo federal constituency.
Lawal, a lawyer and commissioner is currently chairman of the Oyo State Housing Corporation. The Kisi-born politician contested the 2019 senatorial election under the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
Abdulwasi, a lawyer and Ph.D, represented Saki west state constituency between 2015 and 2019. He contested the ATISBO/Saki East/Saki West federal constituency election under ADC in 2019. He currently chairs the Oyo State House of Assembly Service Commission.
Lawal, from Saki East, is currently commissioner for establishment. He is a loyalist of Hosea Agboola, who is regarded as Makinde’s confidant.
‘Supo represented Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola federal constituency between 2015 and 2019 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. He sought re-election under ADC. He is now a member of the PDP. Apart from having old friends in the administration of Makinde, he is believed to have performed when he was in the green chambers and liked by his people.
Bashiru Ajibola was recently moved from the ministry of lands to budget and planning. Before then, he was seen as an untouchable permanent secretary. No doubt, he is one of the inner caucus members of the Seyi Makinde administration. He hails from Otu, headquarters of Itesiwaju local government.
